Businessman and philanthropist Samvel Karapetyan, head of the Tashir Group, has reportedly been a key supporter of Armenia’s most vital institutions — from building the majestic St. Gregory Cathedral to funding over 30 educational and medical centers, including Yerevan’s Oncology Center.
He is now behind bars on a trumped-up charge of allegedly “making public calls to illegally seize power”.
His lawyer calls it absurd, groundless, and a political hit-job, vowing to appeal and fight back.
The Armenian Church in Moscow called the arrest a disgrace and part of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s ongoing war on the Church — using fear and repression to silence voices of conscience.