Yerevan court extends Samvel Karapetyan's house arrest

Armenia’s Anti-Corruption Court extended the house arrest of businessman and philanthropist Samvel Karapetyan by one month, his lawyer Aram Vardevanyan said after a court hearing last night.

Vardevanyan announced plans to appeal the ruling to a higher court.

The court reviewed the prosecution’s request to extend the measure during a hearing that lasted most of the day, with the decision announced at around midnight.

While the session was underway, dozens of supporters gathered outside the courthouse, expressing support for Karapetyan and demanding his release.

Authorities launched criminal proceedings against Karapetyan after his statements of support for the Armenian Apostolic Church. He has been charged with making public calls for the seizure of power in Armenia rejected by his lawyers, experts and human rights groups as politically motivated.

Karapetyan was initially detained on June 18, 2025. On December 30, the Anti-Corruption Court replaced his pre-trial detention with house arrest and bail.