Judge Recuses from Criminal Case Involving Catholicos Karekin II

A judge has recused himself from the preliminary hearing in a criminal case involving Catholicos Karekin II, the spiritual leader of the Armenian Apostolic Church. The recusal occurred during the first preliminary hearing in Etchmiadzin. Details regarding the nature of the charges and the judge's stated reasons for recusal were not available in initial reporting. The case involves the head of one of Christianity's oldest institutions and has drawn attention within Armenia and the diaspora. The recusal may result in reassignment to another judge for the continuation of proceedings.