Armenia`s ex-premier raises voice in defense of Russian-Armenian  businessman Samvel Karapetyan 

ArmInfo.  Former Prime Minister of Armenia and former CEO of ArmRosgazprom CJSC Karen Karapetyan spoke in defense of the arrested president of Tashir Group of Companies Samvel Karapetyan.

"Samvel Karapetyan is my friend and relative, so I do not rule out  that what I say about him and what is happening around him in the  Republic of Armenia these days will be perceived subjectively and  emotionally, so I will try to structure what I say as objectively and  factually as possible," the former Prime Minister noted.

He emphasized that Samvel Karapetyan was never part of any  government, did not hold any position under any government, his  financial capabilities and property were not formed in Armenia.  Samvel Karapetyan carried out his unprecedented and large-scale  charitable activities in Armenia and Artsakh, without conditioning it  on who was in power or his attitude towards this government. This can  be seen even by a cursory glance at the list of charitable deeds he  has carried out over the years, including the last seven years.

"The Republic of Armenia treats and, I hope, will treat all Armenian  benefactors, including Samvel Karapetyan, as their home, their  hearth, from which they simply expect fair treatment in accordance  with their behavior towards their homeland. In the Republic of  Armenia, every person has the right to have their own opinion on  various issues and to express it, which may not coincide with or be  pleasant to the opinion of this or that person, regardless of who  this person is and what position he holds. Samvel Karapetyan plays a  unique role in the Armenian Diaspora not only due to his charitable  deeds or financial assistance, but also because he always tried to  help our compatriots in his own way, including by advising,  reconciling, supporting and smoothing out rough edges when  necessary," Karen Karapetyan emphasized.

The former prime minister added that Samvel Karapetyan has the right  to have his own attitude towards the church, to express his position  and opinion on the latest events around the church, to participate in  the discussion, resolution and overcoming of this issue to the best  of his ability and in his own way. "The interpretation of Samvel  Karapetyan's words, which was the basis for the criminal proceedings  against him, is at least questionable, given the numerous ways and  means of resolving issues that could have found a place under these  words. I believe that the attitude towards him is unfair and, to put  it simply, inhumane. From the point of view of the atmosphere that  has developed in Armenia (hatred, intolerance, rejection of dissent,  etc.), everyone has something to do, first of all the current  government, since its capabilities in this regard are the broadest. I  hope that the competent state bodies will make a logical and legal  decision, given Samvel's biography. I think that this controversial  process can continue without the use of detention, which is  unacceptable from a legal and moral point of view," the former Prime  Minister of the Republic of Armenia emphasized.

Philanthropist and president of the Tashir Group Samvel Karapetyan  was detained on the night of June 18 in Yerevan by law enforcement  agencies of Armenia after he expressed support for the Armenian  Apostolic Church. In response to this, open threats followed from the  Prime Minister.  On the night of June 19, the Yerevan Court of  General Jurisdiction arrested Samvel Karapetyan for two months. He is  being held in the Yerevan-Kentron Penitentiary Institution (the  famous "KGB basement" in the building of the National Security  Service of Armenia). He is accused of publicly calling for the  seizure of power in the country. Karapetyan does not admit guilt.

On July 1, Samvel Karapetyan's headquarters reported that on July 4  at 18:00 in Yerevan's Seasons Park on Mashtots Avenue (Malibu), a  march to the place of Samvel Karapetyan's illegal detention will  start. "Let's put aside our business for a few hours and unite to  show that our people do not tolerate injustice. Those who justify  lawlessness discredit themselves. Join us. Your voice matters," the  appeal says.