Armenian Court Prolongs Detention of Tashir Group Founder Samvel Karapetyan

Armenia’s Anti-Corruption Court has once again extended the arrest of businessman Samvel Karapetyan, who is charged with calling for the overthrow of the constitutional order as well as facing several economic accusations, Orda.kz reports, citing The Caucausian Knot.

On October 13, investigators brought forward a fresh economic accusation. Karapetyan’s defense team denounced the move, saying authorities had presented “no factual basis” and were simply escalating pressure on their client.

Background

Karapetyan, the owner of Tashir Group, was first taken into custody earlier this year. His legal troubles intensified after he publicly sided with the Armenian Apostolic Church.

This came shortly after Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan delivered a sharp public critique of the Church on May 29 and later responded with personal insults to Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan on Facebook.

The incident sparked outrage among clergy and several political figures, who demanded an apology from the prime minister.

In July, 65 MPs backed a measure enabling the nationalization of his company, Electric Networks of Armenia (ENA). Days later, law enforcement searched ENA offices and the home of company board chairman Narek Karapetyan.

Shortly afterward, Vaginak Kazaryan, director of Karapetyan’s “Tashir Pizza,” was arrested in a tax-evasion case.

Meanwhile, activists from the “Our Way” movement and other supporters of Karapetyan have staged rallies, arguing that Armenia needs a change of government and pledging to pursue it through peaceful political participation.