The legal team representing Samvel Karapetyan, a businessman and philanthropist detained for two months, released a statement denouncing what they call “a legal free-for-all surrounding Karapetyan’s appeal.”

According to the statement, Karapetyan was arrested on June 18, 2025, based on what the defense describes as an “obviously groundless and unlawful” decision. The team filed an appeal on June 20, which was assigned to Judge Armen Danielyan—reportedly the lowest-rated judge. Citing this and other circumstances, Karapetyan’s lawyers submitted a request to withdraw their appeal on June 23.

The lawyers allege that during this short period, it became clear that every effort had been made to ensure only Judge Danielyan would handle the complaint against Karapetyan’s arrest. They accuse the judge of deliberately stalling rather than promptly terminating the proceedings as required. Subsequently, the Prosecutor’s Office filed its own appeal, despite the fact that the investigator’s original petition had been fully granted, making any appeal unnecessary. The defense claims this move aimed solely to keep Danielyan in charge of the case.

Moreover, the judge not only accepted the prosecutor’s appeal but also initiated proceedings on the defense’s previously withdrawn appeal, setting a new precedent for legal overreach, the lawyers argue. The defense was given just one day to submit its position, with a ruling scheduled for July 4, 2025.

The legal team describes the arrest, the appeal process, and the conduct of state institutions as further proof of an overt political persecution. “To any impartial observer, the political motivation is undeniable,” the statement concludes.

On June 18, Karapetyan was detained and sent to Armavir Penitentiary for a public call to usurp government authority. Just hours before, he had voiced support for the Armenian Apostolic Church, saying, “I stand by our Church and our people... I don’t care about their electric networks.” In response, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan posted: “Why are the prostitute ‘clergy’ and their prostitute ‘benefactors’ so active? Never mind—we’ll silence them again. For good.” He later added that the Electric Networks of Armenia should be swiftly nationalized.