Pashinyan warns against attempts to 'undermine' Armenia's sovereignty

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has addressed detained businessman and philanthropist Samvel Karapetyan and other Diaspora Armenians engaging in domestic politics. Karapetyan has been charged with making public calls for the seizure of power and placed in pre-trial detention for two months following his statements of support for the Armenian Apostolic Church amid attacks by the Armenian leadership.

"Act in Armenia the way you would in your countries of citizenship. This is not a playground; it’s a sovereign state," Pashinyan told a press conference on Wednesday, stressing his readiness to defend Armenia’s independence with the "steel mandate" granted by the people.

“The hammer is greased and ready on my desk,” he said. “Anyone attempting to undermine Armenia’s sovereignty, independence and statehood will face consequences. The steel mandate remains intact.”

Referring to Karapetyan’s political ambitions, Pashinyan questioned how individuals with multiple foreign citizenships could engage in politics in Armenia. “If they wish to engage in politics here, they should first renounce their foreign citizenships,” he said.

When asked about Armenia’s former presidents, Pashinyan expressed "pity" for Levon Ter-Petrosyan but said he felt indifferent toward Robert Kocharyan and Serzh Sargsyan.

Regarding the potential closure of the ARF party, Pashinyan said any such move would depend on legal grounds, not driven by political motives.