Armenian deputy PM challenges nephew of jailed oligarch’s ties to former elite

Deputy Head of the Office of the Prime Minister of Armenia, Taron Chakhoyan, questioned the connection of Narek Karapetyan, the nephew of the arrested Russian oligarch Samvel Karapetyan, with his own father, who previously held key positions in Armenia.

Narek has positioned himself as unlinked to the former regime. Chakhoyan challenged this by highlighting Narek's direct family connection to his father, Karen Karapetyan, a prominent figure in the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) under ex-President Serzh Sargsyan.

“Narek, who is not connected to the previous [administration], does he also have no connection with his own father, who headed Serzh Sargsyan’s administration, led the Republican Party faction, and was a member of the executive body and council of the RPA?" Chakhoyan wondered, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

"If the uncle’s heir has no connection with his own father, let him say so, so that we know,” he said.

Russian-Armenian oligarch, the owner of the Tashir Group, arrested in June 2025 on charges of inciting power seizure after defending the Church against Pashinyan's perceived attacks. From jail, he launched the "Our Way" movement, accusing the government of anti-Christian policies.

By Khagan Isayev