Armenia arrests former tax chief in case linked to Karapetyan

Armenia has arrested former State Revenue Committee head Vardan Harutyunyan over his support for Tashir Group head Samvel Karapetyan. 

The Anti-Corruption Committee said Harutyunyan, who was taken into custody on August 8 for two months, faces accusations dating back to 2018. The case was closed in 2019 but has now been reopened, Caliber.Az reports via Armenian media. 

He is being charged with illegal business activity, anti-competitive practices and money laundering.

The newspaper reported that Harutyunyan was seen on June 17 near Karapetyan’s home and the day after at a court hearing on the businessman’s pre-trial detention. The paper claimed authorities are targeting former officials who backed Karapetyan, head of the Russia-based Tashir Group.

Harutyunyan has denied any link to the company at the centre of the allegations. The newspaper quoted sources as saying the arrests aim to “neutralise all of Karapetyan’s associates.”

Samvel Karapetyan, owner of the Tashir Group of Companies, was arrested on June 18, 2025, on charges of attempting to incite an illegal seizure of power. His detention has intensified an already tense political standoff between Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s administration and the Armenian Apostolic Church, which Karapetyan has openly supported.

By Sabina Mammadli