On June 19, Armenian authorities arrested Samvel Karapetyan, one of the most influential Armenian businessmen, a philanthropist, and the founder of Tashir Group. The arrest came just days after his public and vocal support for the Armenian Apostolic Church, amid increasing pressure on the Church by Armenia’s ruling elite. This development is more than a legal event — it’s a political signal: a warning to anyone who dares to support national institutions and values outside the current government’s framework.
Background: Power vs. Church
Today, the Armenian Apostolic Church remains one of the last strongholds of national identity and trust. While the state continues to target the Church through legislation and media attacks, public support for the Church has become a politically sensitive act.
On June 16, Samvel Karapetyan broke his long-standing political silence to express full support for the Church, declaring that "national identity cannot survive without faith, without culture, and without Artsakh." These words, delivered during a time of social unrest surrounding the protection of Armenian churches and traditional values, became a red line. Three days later, he was arrested.
Official Version: Economic Crimes
According to law enforcement, the arrest is tied to alleged tax evasion and financial misconduct within Tashir Group. But these claims appear politically motivated, especially given the company’s decades of transparent operation and cooperation with state agencies both in Russia and Armenia.
Moreover, arresting the head of a multi-billion-dollar corporation without prior questioning or legal negotiation is not standard judicial procedure — it is a political maneuver aimed at intimidation.
What’s Behind the Arrest?
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Punishment for Supporting the Church.
Karapetyan was the first major businessman to openly support the Church, a move perceived by the government as a challenge to its control over national discourse. -
Perceived Political Threat.
While not a political figure, Karapetyan’s influence, resources, and respect made him a potential unifying figure for those opposing the current regime's trajectory. -
Breaking the “Church-Business-Diaspora” Connection.
Since 2020, the Armenian authorities have been systematically dismantling independent power centers — the diaspora, the Church, and influential business. This arrest fits the pattern.
Implications
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For business – A chilling message: even loyalty offers no protection.
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For the Church – An unmistakable warning: public support carries consequences.
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For the diaspora – A blow to trust in Armenia’s internal justice and governance.
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For civil society – Deeper division and increased fear of retribution.
Final Thoughts
The arrest of Samvel Karapetyan is not about taxes — it is about sovereignty, about who has the right to speak and support Armenia on their own terms.
When a man is arrested for publicly supporting the national Church, we are no longer dealing with routine politics — we are witnessing the erosion of national foundations.
This is not an investigation — it is a diagnosis.
By Lida Nalbandyan, Founder and CEO of Octopus Media Group