Armenia raids Tashir Group HQ in major tax evasion investigation

Armenia’s Investigative Committee is conducting searches at Tashir Group’s headquarters, owned by detained Russian-Armenian billionaire Samvel Karapetyan, amid a major probe into money laundering and significant tax evasion.

The operation is being carried out under the direction of the General Department for the Investigation of Economic Crimes and Smuggling, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

“Urgent investigative measures are underway at the head office of Tashir Group as part of a preliminary investigation launched into the legalisation of criminally obtained funds on a particularly large scale, as well as the non-payment of taxes, fees and other mandatory payments, also on a particularly large scale,” the committee said.

Russian–Armenian billionaire Samvel Karapetyan, founder of the Tashir Group and Electricity Networks of Armenia, was arrested in Yerevan on June 18, 2025, following a police raid on his residence.

He has been charged under Part 2 of Article 422 of Armenia’s Criminal Code for allegedly making “public calls to seize power,” after publicly criticising the government’s actions against the Armenian Apostolic Church and warning that “if politicians fail … we will intervene in our own way.” A court later ordered his detention for two months pending trial.

His arrest has been widely described as politically motivated. Karapetyan’s legal team called the move unlawful, claiming it was aimed at silencing his vocal support for the Church.

The case forms part of a wider crackdown by the authorities; just days later, Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan was also detained on allegations of plotting a coup.

In the wake of Karapetyan’s arrest, the Armenian government announced plans to nationalise the Electricity Networks. Russia, citing his citizenship, has expressed concern and is reportedly engaging with Armenian authorities through diplomatic channels.

By Aghakazim Guliyev