Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told businessman Samvel Karapetyan to be “cautious” when in Armenia, stressing that Armenia is a state—not a playground for other countries’ rules.
Pashinyan responded to questions about Karapetyan’s arrest and his potential political ambitions: “Is Armenia a playground where you come and say ‘we’ll do this’? Folks, behave as though you’re in your primary citizenship country—when in Armenia, be cautious, got it? This is not a playground; this is a state. I’ve said it: the taste of the state will linger on your lips.”
He highlighted that the “hammer” has been oiled and placed on his desk, ready for anyone who attempts to threaten Armenia’s independence, sovereignty, or statehood. “The steel mandate is already active and will continue to be,” he added.
Pashinyan also expressed disbelief at the idea of Karapetyan entering politics, stating that he cannot run for parliament or prime minister. “Some people have six passports in their desk drawers, come here to ‘save Armenia’—what a joke,” he said.
Pashinyan’s remarks follow Karapetyan’s arrest on June 18, when he was remanded for two months and transferred to Armavir detention centre on charges of publicly calling to seize government powers. Hours earlier Karapetyan had issued a statement supporting the Armenian Apostolic Church: “I stand with our church, our people… Everything will be fine—the people are united, they will speak, and the others will realize they made a mistake.”
In response, Pashinyan wrote: “Those wicked ‘clergymen’ and their wicked ‘philanthropists’ have activated again. We’ll silence them again. For good.” He later added that the electric distribution company should be nationalized very soon.
