Armenian Apostolic Holy Church The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On September 14, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; received former prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Mr. Luis Moreno Ocampo and members of the "Center for Truth and Justice" organization, accompanied by the Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Great Britain and Ireland, His Grace Bishop Hovakim Manukyan.

Welcoming the visit of the former prosecutor of the ICC to the Armenian spiritual center, His Holiness conveyed information about the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, its important role in the life of the Armenian people, its spiritual and cultural values, the formation of national identity, and its nationalistic mission.

At the meeting, His Holiness Karekin II expressed his appreciation to Mr. Ocampo for his efforts in defending the fair rights of the Armenian people and Artsakh Armenians, condemning Azerbaijan's genocidal policy, and returning the captives.

Speaking about the security issues facing the country, the Armenian Patriarch voiced his concerns, stressing that the Church always contributes to overcoming the existing challenges, meeting the spiritual and humanitarian needs of Artsakh Armenians and building a safe future for them. In the direction of the complete solution of the mentioned problems, His Holiness emphasized both the active support of the international community and the activities carried out by Mr. Ocampo in the matter of the establishment of justice and the protection of human rights.

In turn, Mr. Luis Moreno Ocampo presented to His Holiness his thoughts and initiated actions in the direction of the liberation of the occupied territories of Armenia by Azerbaijan, raising the issue of ethnic cleansing carried out in Artsakh, and the release of Armenian captives held in Azerbaijan, emphasizing the need for practical application of the principles of international law. In this regard, Mr. Ocampo emphasized the importance of the unity of Armenians around the world in implementing these principles. The former prosecutor of the ICC also highlighted the important role of the Armenian Church in the spiritual leadership of the displaced Artsakh Armenians, the protection of their violated rights and the return of captives.