(MENAFN) Moscow is closely following the legal proceedings against Russian-Armenian businessman Samvel Karapetyan, who was detained in Armenia earlier this week, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said. Karapetyan, who holds citizenship in both Russia and Armenia, faces accusations of calling for the overthrow of Armenia’s government and is currently held in pre-trial detention for two months. He denies the charges, while his supporters argue the case is politically motivated.

Peskov emphasized that while Russia does not wish to interfere in Armenia’s internal affairs, it is carefully monitoring matters involving Russian citizens. Karapetyan was arrested shortly after he publicly supported the Armenian Apostolic Church in its conflict with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. The billionaire declared his commitment to defending the Church and Armenian people, warning that if politicians fail, he would take action against campaigns targeting the Church.

In response, Pashinyan vowed on social media to permanently shut down Karapetyan’s business activities in Armenia, followed by a police raid on the billionaire’s Yerevan residence hours later.

The arrest has drawn criticism from members of the Armenian diaspora and Orthodox community. Vikan Tosunyan, spokesperson for Lebanon’s Armenian Democratic Liberal Party, stated that the detention appears linked to the escalating conflict between the government and the church, stressing that freedom of speech must be respected unless martial law is in effect.

Famed Serbian director Emir Kusturica described the arrest as part of a wider assault on Eastern Christianity, comparing Pashinyan’s actions to similar political pressures in Ukraine and Montenegro, and expressed hope for protection through the Orthodox community and Russia.

In recent weeks, Prime Minister Pashinyan has frequently criticized the Armenian Apostolic Church, accusing it of corruption and violations, including calling on Catholicos Garegin II to resign over alleged breaches of celibacy vows. The Church has rejected these claims and accused the prime minister of acting under influence from foreign “Armenophobic” forces.

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