ArmInfo.The trial of businessman Samvel Karapetyan continued at the Anti-Corruption Court of Armenia on October 15. The court is considering extending his pretrial detention. The court hearing began at 4:30 PM on October 14 and continued late into the night. The prosecution spent considerable time presenting its motions.
Today, in a conversation with journalists, lawyer Aram Vardevanyan pointed out the illogicality of the heavy police presence outside the courtroom. He recalled that on July 4, 2025, when Samvel Karapetyan spent less than a month in prison, tens of thousands of people gathered outside the courthouse and marched to the building of the National Security Service of the Republic of Armenia. Since then, not a single criminal or administrative case has been initiated against the marchers. This, as the lawyer noted, is a clear indication of the lack of necessity for such a significant number of police officers outside the courthouse. "These rallies were peaceful, and their primary goal was to end political persecution. The day before, our compatriots chanted slogans demanding justice and the restoration of Samvel Karapetyan's right to freedom, which, from a legal standpoint, is inviolable," the lawyer said.
He noted that the defense will present its stance at the court hearing today. However, Vardevanyan noted that yesterday's arguments by the prosecution cannot be called a position. "They didn't present a position; they simply read what was written on paper, and that writing has nothing to do with Samvel Karapetyan. The investigators practically didn't present any evidence they should have. According to international requirements, any justification for restricting freedom must be based on concrete evidence, which is lacking," Vardevanyan emphasized, once again pointing out the political persecution of the businessman. This persecution, the lawyer noted, may have various motives, one of which is the ongoing political processes in the country.
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