Thousands call for release of Russian-Armenian businessman

(MENAFN) On Friday, thousands gathered in the streets of Yerevan to call for the release of Samvel Karapetyan, a Russian-Armenian energy magnate currently imprisoned. Karapetyan, known for his outspoken support of Armenia’s political opposition and the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC), was detained last month on accusations of promoting a coup—charges he denies.

Organizers, including the Council for the Defense of Samvel Karapetyan, confirmed that the march and rally were fully authorized by local authorities. The group took to social media to declare, “Today we did an important job together. We proved to everyone that the Armenian people are the owners of their rights and future,” while demanding Karapetyan’s release from what they described as “illegal detention.”

The Armenian Apostolic Church has emerged as a significant opponent of the government’s recent decision to transfer control of several contested border villages to Azerbaijan. These areas have long been the center of violent territorial disputes, and many Armenians see the handover as a betrayal of national interests.

Since the decision, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s administration has arrested two leading AAC clerics and taken steps to nationalize Karapetyan’s energy company.

While Moscow has expressed willingness to assist Karapetyan, who holds Russian citizenship, Russian officials have also stressed that they view the protests and related issues as internal matters for Armenia.

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