Karen Karapetyan calls for respect toward Samvel Karapetyan, highlighting his decades-long support for Armenia.

Former Armenian Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan has issued a statement in support of Russian-Armenian businessman and head of the Tashir Group, Samvel Karapetyan.

Karapetyan described the situation involving Karapetyan and his family as “shameful, unacceptable, and disgraceful to anyone, but above all, to our country.”

He emphasized that for many years, Samvel Karapetyan and his family have been instrumental in Armenia’s development and have continuously supported key events in the life of the Armenian people. The statement was reported by “Pastinfo.”

“It’s no coincidence that he enjoys great respect not only within the country but also beyond its borders, consistently upholding the honor and name of the Armenian people and supporting fellow Armenians in difficult times — often quietly,” said Karen Karapetyan.

“In this context, it is only natural that Samvel Karapetyan could not remain indifferent to the actions being taken against the Armenian Apostolic Church. I express my full support to my good friend and comrade Samvel Karapetyan.”

On the night of June 18, Samvel Karapetyan left his Yerevan residence and departed with law enforcement. A few hours earlier, he had voiced support for the Armenian Apostolic Church.

“I stand with our Church and our people. Let them try to slander — I don’t care about their networks or their influence. Everything will be fine, the people will speak, and they’ll realize they were wrong,” Karapetyan said.

In response, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan wrote: “Why have the immoral ‘clergymen’ and their immoral ‘benefactors’ become so active? No worries — we’ll silence them again. This time, for good.”