Samvel Karapetyan detained amid Armenian financial investigation

Samvel Karapetyan Strong Armenia Electric Networks of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan Armenian opposition

Armenian authorities have detained Samvel Karapetyan, leader of the Strong Armenia opposition party and a billionaire businessman, following a large-scale operation involving searches at 65 locations. The Investigative Committee has initiated criminal proceedings against Karapetyan and 35 others, alleging a scheme that caused approximately 64.6 billion AMD (roughly $170 million) in damages to Electric Networks of Armenia (ENA), a company linked to Karapetyan’s business interests.

The investigation involves allegations of abuse of authority, money laundering, and embezzlement. Investigators claim that between 2016 and 2024, funds were improperly transferred to shareholders and affiliated companies through unjustified loans and dividend payments. Karapetyan was sentenced to one month of detention by a court following his arrest.

The detention has intensified political tensions in Armenia. Opposition leaders, including Narek Karapetyan, have characterized the legal actions as political persecution intended to pressure the opposition into supporting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s proposed constitutional amendments. These amendments are viewed by critics as concessions to Azerbaijan in ongoing peace negotiations.

Entities

Armenia · Armenian Investigative Committee · Electric Networks of Armenia · Investigative Committee of Armenia · Narek Karapetyan · Nikol Pashinyan · Samvel Karapetyan · Strong Armenia

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 4 SOURCES] Narek Karapetyan accused the authorities of acting out of fear. www.301.am · hnonline.sk · www.topky.sk · norharatch.com
[● 4 SOURCES] A motion was submitted to the court to apply detention for Samvel Karapetyan and 8 other individuals. norharatch.com · www.g4media.ro · www.agos.com.tr
[● 6 SOURCES] Samvel Karapetyan was detained by the National Security Service. www.301.am · www.agos.com.tr
[● 6 SOURCES] The investigation involves allegations of abuse of authority, money laundering, and embezzlement. norharatch.com · lucesdelsiglo.com · www.agos.com.tr
[● 6 SOURCES] Authorities conducted searches at 65 different locations. www.topky.sk · www.301.am · norharatch.com · hnonline.sk
[● 7 SOURCES] Criminal prosecution has been initiated against 36 individuals. norharatch.com · factor.am · lucesdelsiglo.com · www.agos.com.tr
[● 3 SOURCES] The alleged crimes occurred between 2016 and 2024.
[● 9 SOURCES] The alleged financial offenses caused Electric Networks of Armenia approximately 64.5 billion AMD in damages. factor.am · norharatch.com · lucesdelsiglo.com · www.agos.com.tr
[● 4 SOURCES] Samvel Karapetyan was sentenced to one month of detention by a court. www.agos.com.tr · www.g4media.ro · www.prensa-latina.cu