Samvel Karapetyan’s son urges diaspora unity and justice

PanARMENIAN.Net - Karen Karapetyan appeals to the global Armenian diaspora, emphasizing unity, faith, and demanding justice in a uniquely personal way.

Lead: The son of detained businessman Samvel Karapetyan publicly calls on diaspora Armenians to unite and support their cause for justice.

Two‑month‑detained businessman and philanthropist Samvel Karapetyan’s son, Karen Karapetyan, addressed Armenians worldwide in a video message, highlighting the crucial role of the diaspora and the importance of national unity. “We will seek justice in our own way. The justice truly belongs to us,” he stated, according to Panorama.am .

He also noted that one need not be deeply religious to honor their roots and values, adding that the Armenian Apostolic Church has always served as a unifying institution. “A few words to my Armenian brothers and sisters across the world, to members of our beautiful community, our lovely diaspora, and, frankly, everyone who cares about justice and sound reason… Millions of Armenians — Russian‑Armenians, French‑Armenians, American‑Armenians, those from Lebanon and elsewhere — have always been the soul of this nation.

“And that small group trying to divide us between themselves and the rest — frankly, I’m very, very proud to be part of that ‘rest.’ What else can I say? We will seek justice in our own way. The justice truly belongs to us. God bless you all.”

On the night of June 18, Samvel Karapetyan left his Yerevan residence with law enforcement. Later it was announced he had been questioned by the Investigative Committee and subsequently detained for two months on charges of making public calls to seize government authority.

A few hours earlier, Karapetyan had issued a strong statement supporting the Armenian Apostolic Church, saying: “I stand with our church and our people. No matter how they try to defame it—whatever power grid they run—I don’t care about them or their electricity network. Everything will be fine. The people will speak, and they will understand their mistake.”

In response, Prime Minister Pashinyan posted: “Why have the promiscuous ‘clergy’ and their promiscuous ‘benefactors’ become active again? Never mind—we’ll silence them once more. This time, permanently.” He later added that the power grid (Electric Networks of Armenia) should be rapidly nationalized.