Samvel Karapetyan's detention challenged in higher court

The defense team of Armenian businessman and philanthropist Samvel Karapetyan has appealed his detention to the Criminal Court of Appeals, calling the decision “blatantly unlawful” and politically motivated.

Karapetyan was arrested on charges of making public calls to seize power in Armenia following his support for the Armenian Apostolic Church. His lawyers argue the charges lack any legal basis and accuse the authorities of using the judiciary for political persecution.

They have also challenged the legality of the search and arrest orders, both issued by a judge described as unknown to the professional legal community.

The legal team says additional legal measures are underway to protect Karapetyan’s rights and promises further updates on the case.