Armenian PM’s Office rebukes gov't critics backing arrested tycoon Karapetyan

Deputy Chief of Staff to the Armenian Prime Minister, Taron Chakhoyan, has responded to recent accusations against the government, dismissing them as “nonsense” and saying such remarks ultimately harm ordinary people.

"Those who care about people have spat on the lights of these people. They have spat on the Electricity Networks of the whole of Armenia and their subscribers. I hope they think twice before spreading such nonsense in the future,” Caliber.Az quotes Chakhoyan as saying in a post on Facebook.

The remarks come against the backdrop of the June arrest of Samvel Karapetyan, head of the Tashir Group and a Russian-Armenian oligarch, who was charged with calling for the seizure of power. He later faced additional accusations under Article 296, parts 2 and 3, of Armenia’s Criminal Code — laundering large-scale funds using official powers or influence derived from them.

The remarks appear to target opposition figures and media outlets criticising the government's handling of Electricity Networks of Armenia's (ENA) temporary administration and license revocation process.

Samvel Karapetyan was arrested on June 18, 2025, in Yerevan. He faces charges under Article 422 of Armenia's Criminal Code for "public calls to seize power." The accusation stems from a June 2025 statement where Karapetyan publicly supported the Armenian Apostolic Church during its escalating conflict with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. In an interview, he criticised the government's "political incompetence," its distancing from Russia, and attacks on the Church, stating: "If the politicians fail, then we will participate in our own way in all of this." Authorities interpreted this as incitement to overthrow the government.

His pre-trial detention was extended multiple times, most recently until November 17, 2025. An Armenian appeals court ruled the initial arrest unlawful in August 2025, but prosecutors refiled under new grounds.

Pashinyan vowed to "swiftly nationalise" ENA, citing poor service, intentional outages to stir discontent, and unpaid "damages" to citizens (without specifics).

On July 3, 2025, parliament hastily passed amendments to the Energy Law and Public Services Regulatory Commission Law, allowing state intervention in private utilities for violations, appointment of temporary managers, license revocation, and forced sale.

By Khagan Isayev