On October 16, 2018, in Tbilisi City Court, the delayed court hearing in the framework of the trial of the dispute of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia against the National Agency of Public Registry of Georgia took place, chaired by judge Nana Daraselia.
Both the plaintiff and the authorized representatives from the National Agency of Public Registry were present at the trial.
At today’s session the court discussed the issue of the recognition of the parties and decided that the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Holy Church in Georgia is rightfully represented as an interested party in the issue.
The second requirement of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, which is being considered as a separate case, is against the National Agency of State Property of the Ministry of Economy of Georgia.
With the mediation of the third party, the Patriarchate of the Georgian Orthodox Church, the discussion on the case was suspended based on the proposal to discuss two requirements as part of one single case. The plaintiff has agreed to this mediation. The court satisfied the mediation and the court session was postponed to merge these requirements.
The next court hearing was appointed on October 24.
The interests of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia are protecting by the lawyers of the EMC and TDI.
The history of the issue: on January 5, 2018, the Armenian Diocese in Georgia presented an administrative appeal against the National Agency of Public Registry of Georgia and the National Agency of State Property of the Ministry of Economy of Georgia.
The Armenian Diocese believes that National Agency of Public Registry of Georgia violated the interests of the Armenian Diocese transferring the Tandoyants Astvatsatsin church to the Patriarchate of the Georgian Orthodox Church based on the decision made on July 18, 2017, not studying the origin of the church, its history and the demand of the Diocese over the church.
The second requirement for this church was offered against the National Agency of State Property of the Ministry of Economy of Georgia which has alienated from the state’s balance sheet the Tandoyants church and the land area attached to it, without any grounds, thus facilitating the transfer of the Armenian Church to the Patriarchate’s balance sheet.