U.S. host Tucker Carlson interviewed Narek Karapetyan, deputy head of Tashir Group and nephew of detained businessman Samvel Karapetyan, discussing an ongoing campaign against the Armenian Apostolic Church and persecution of its clergy.
At the start of the conversation, Carlson asked Karapetyan to briefly explain the Armenian Genocide, to which Karapetyan responded with a historical overview, highlighting the Church’s role in uniting Armenians through centuries.
“Armenia today has a prime minister who seems intent on destroying Christianity or the Church,” Carlson said.
Karapetyan noted that anti-church rhetoric and actions began months ago and have been directed not only at clergy but also at the Catholicos of All Armenians and other senior church figures.
Carlson was visibly shocked to learn that archbishops are currently imprisoned in Armenia.
“The public was shocked. Many wanted to speak out but were afraid,” Karapetyan said.
He claimed that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, once seen as a democratic leader, now operates in a manner increasingly resembling authoritarian regimes. According to Karapetyan, Pashinyan’s declining approval ratings have led him to target the Church.
He recalled that after Samvel Karapetyan gave a 37-second interview defending the Armenian Church, police arrived at his home just minutes after Pashinyan made statements on Facebook and in Parliament.
“They were literally searching for a criminal article to base charges on. I remember one investigator came in and said, ‘I found the article.’ Another replied, ‘No, that won’t work,’” Karapetyan said.
He added that authorities are trying to seize Karapetyan’s businesses in Armenia, but the businessman remains committed to defending his Church and faith.
“He could be free, running his businesses, but he won’t give in—because his faith and the Church matter,” said Narek Karapetyan.
Carlson called the story both inspiring and troubling, thanking Karapetyan for his stand, and noting that the situation concerns not only Armenia but all of Christianity.
Earlier, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said the Mother See would be “liberated the same way Armenia was freed from Serzh Sargsyan in 2018.”
