The legal team representing prominent businessman and philanthropist Samvel Karapetyan, currently in detention, is preparing to file complaints with the EU, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), and other international bodies, citing what they describe as his politically motivated and unlawful prosecution. The announcement was made by international human rights lawyer Robert Amsterdam during a press conference.
Amsterdam said the Azerbaijani government has targeted two Armenian billionaires: former Artsakh State Minister Ruben Vardanyan and businessman Samvel Karapetyan. He urged the public to ask why a respected entrepreneur and philanthropist is now behind bars, according to Sputnik Armenia.
According to him, Karapetyan’s imprisonment reflects the current government's deep fears.
“Until June 17, Samvel Karapetyan wasn’t even involved in the criminal case as a witness. Then, suddenly, a deeply insecure prime minister, clearly afraid of internal dynamics, attacks a man attending a religious ceremony in memory of his father, and the regime throws him in jail,” Amsterdam stated.
He added that, together with Karapetyan’s defense team, they plan to seek a ruling condemning Armenia for holding political prisoners.
“I want to make it absolutely clear that this disgraceful conduct by the Armenian government cannot be sustainable. We will take this case to international forums and to everyone capable of applying pressure and influencing the government to release its political prisoners, including persecuted clergy,” he said.
Amsterdam also revealed plans to publicly expose the Armenian prime minister’s actions worldwide within the next month.
He stressed that in his career across many countries, the charges against Karapetyan are among the weakest he has seen.
“This is a prime minister who claims he wants to join the EU while simultaneously holding political prisoners, violating the European Convention on Human Rights, and interfering in church affairs. It’s beyond my comprehension. The world will be informed about the dictatorship living inside Mr. Pashinyan and his wife,” Amsterdam stated.
On June 17, authorities searched Samvel Karapetyan’s residence after he publicly voiced support for the Armenian Apostolic Church, warning that a small group was attacking the Church and Armenian identity. He was detained on June 18 for two months. On August 15, the Anti-Corruption Court extended his detention for another two months by order of Judge Tigran Davtyan.
