Lawyer: Karapetyan held without real investigative steps

PanARMENIAN.Net - Lawyer Aram Vardevanyan said his motion for “active investigative actions” in the case of detained businessman Samvel Karapetyan was rejected, calling the process political persecution.

On Facebook, Vardevanyan wrote that although investigators themselves told the court on August 14 that such steps were still needed, his request for confrontations or other measures involving Karapetyan was denied.

He noted the absurdity of the situation: “Karapetyan’s detention was extended on the grounds that active measures would be carried out. Now, more than 90 days later, none have been taken, and investigators claim there is no need for confrontations. Yet so-called data on these actions were submitted before the extension decision.”

According to him, this proves that “political persecution and outright denial of justice happen exactly this way.”

Samvel Karapetyan, a well-known businessman and philanthropist, was arrested on June 18 and placed in Armavir prison for two months, accused of publicly calling for the usurpation of government powers. Hours earlier, he had issued a statement in support of the Armenian Apostolic Church.