Jailed Russian businessman criticizes Armenian government
(MENAFN) Samvel Karapetyan, a wealthy Russian-Armenian businessman currently jailed in Armenia, has accused the country's leadership of turning politics into a spectacle of hostility and repression. Karapetyan, who holds dual citizenship and is worth an estimated $5 billion, was arrested in Yerevan last week after publicly supporting the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC) amid its ongoing dispute with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s government.
Karapetyan faces charges of inciting the overthrow of the government and has been placed in pre-trial detention for two months. His supporters claim the case is politically motivated. In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Karapetyan condemned members of Armenia’s ruling Civil Contract party, accusing them of being ready to abandon the country’s core values and of lacking integrity and respect, particularly targeting outspoken women in politics. However, he expressed hope that some members would still act with decency and courage.
His arrest stems from a broader confrontation between the Armenian government and the AAC, which Pashinyan has accused of corruption and internal misconduct. Specifically, the prime minister has targeted the Church’s leader, Catholicos Garegin II, alleging violations of his religious vows and demanding his resignation. The AAC has denied the claims and accused Pashinyan of acting on behalf of foreign anti-Armenian interests.
Karapetyan was detained on June 18, one day after declaring his support for the church and warning that if politicians fail, others would step in to defend it. In response, Pashinyan reportedly threatened to permanently shut down Karapetyan’s businesses in Armenia, including moves to nationalize Electric Networks of Armenia, a key utility owned by the businessman.
The arrest has triggered backlash from Armenia’s diaspora and the Orthodox Christian community. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow is monitoring the situation closely and stands ready to support Karapetyan as a Russian citizen, though he emphasized that Russia does not wish to interfere in Armenia’s domestic affairs.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the
information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept
any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images,
videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information
contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright
issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
