Viewpoint
16.04.2020
On April 15, 2020, both the public and the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, from the informational sources of NSS, learned that within the framework of the criminal case being investigated at NSS Investigation Department, on April 13, 2020, a charge has been brought to His Eminence Archbishop Navasard Ktchoyan, Vicar of the Araratian Patriarchal Diocese.
We appeal to the public, including the officials and the media, respect the presumption of innocence of the person based on legislation and refrain from unnecessary, urgent comments and insubstantial judgements.
It is worthy to note, that the topic of the criminal case has been circulating in the media since 2013., and the mentioned criminal case was initiated years ago. In this context, it is puzzling that making public the involvement of His Eminence Archbishop Navasard Ktchoyan in the mentioned criminal case as an accused, directly follows the publicization of the viewpoint of the Pontiff of All Armenians concerning the change of the precautionary measure of the prisoners in vulnerable group, including the second President of the Republic of Armenia Mr. Robert Qocharyan, in these pandemic conditions of Coronavirus.
Though this fact raises some concerns, however, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin wants to hope and will pursue that an impartial, full and comprehensive investigation of the criminal case will be implemented.
In the mentioned case, the legal protection of His Eminence Archbishop Navasard Ktchoyan is provided by lawyers, who will provide relevant elucidations and clarifications on the case if necessary.
