The trial of Catholicos Garegin II and six other senior clergymen resumed on Friday, only for a second judge to decline to preside over the case. Judge Serzh Rushanian of the Vagharshapat court of first instance ruled that the case should be forwarded to a court in Yerevan, arguing that prosecutors failed to specify the location of the alleged crime in their indictment. This decision followed the recusal of the initial judge, Hakob Manukian, who cited a conflict of interest. Both prosecutors and defense lawyers objected to the transfer, with defense attorney Ara Zohrabian suggesting that judges are recognizing the dubious nature of the case and are caught between their conscience and political pressure.