Lawyer: Samvel Karapetyan arrested solely for interview—without any legal grounds

Absurd criminal proceedings against philanthropist and businessman Samvel Karapetyan were initiated because of his June 17 interview, in which he defended the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and criticized unconstitutional actions by the current authorities, lawyer Aram Vardevanyan wrote online.

“Since June 18, Samvel Karapetyan has been arrested solely for this interview, without any legal or legitimate grounds, solely for the purpose of political persecution. The interview was characterized as a call for a violent seizure of power, preceded by a promise of retaliation from the head of the executive power. Obviously, this interview lacks 1) a call to society, 2) any signs of violence, and 3) any signs of a seizure of power,” he said.