BREAKING: Tensions escalated in Yerevan today as supporters of jailed billionaire and government critic Samvel Karapetyan clashed with police outside a courthouse. This urgent confrontation comes amid calls for Karapetyan’s release while authorities deliberate on extending his pre-trial detention.
New reports confirm that police detained three protesters during the unrest, which erupted as demonstrators rallied against Karapetyan’s ongoing detention on charges of inciting a coup and money laundering. Video footage shared by Sputnik Armenia shows scuffles between the crowd and law enforcement, highlighting the rising discontent with the Armenian government.
Karapetyan, who also holds Russian citizenship, was arrested last June after publicly criticizing Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and the government’s crackdown on the Armenian Apostolic Church. The tycoon has labeled the charges against him as politically motivated, igniting further outrage among his supporters and raising serious questions about freedom of expression in Armenia.
The backdrop of this turmoil traces back to 2020, when tensions flared between the prime minister and the church after Catholicos Garegin II called for Pashinyan’s resignation following a controversial land concession to Azerbaijan. This decision led to mass protests and accusations of betrayal against Pashinyan, who has faced criticism for his handling of church-related matters and dissent.
The atmosphere has grown increasingly charged, with several senior clerics arrested on allegations of abuse of power and fraud. Notably, last October, Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan received a two-year prison sentence for inciting a coup—an action he claimed was politically charged. In the same month, Vardan Ghukasyan, the mayor of Gyumri and a vocal critic of Pashinyan’s foreign policy, was placed in pre-trial detention over bribery charges.
Critics of Pashinyan argue that he is exploiting law enforcement to stifle opposition and consolidate his power as his popularity wanes. In this volatile climate, Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for the Kremlin, stated that while the political situation in Armenia is an internal affair, Russia is closely monitoring developments.
As protests continue and tensions rise, the situation remains fluid. Activists are urging international attention on Karapetyan’s case, and the next court hearing is expected to draw even more demonstrators to the streets. With emotions running high and public sentiment shifting, the world is watching closely as Armenia confronts one of its most pressing political crises to date.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
