Arrested Armenian tycoon interrogated amid money laundering probe

Russian oligarch Samvel Karapetyan was interrogated in the Armenian National Security Service detention centre in a case of alleged money laundering.

The interrogation did not last long, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

Karapetyan has already been interrogated three times in different cases: twice for an episode related to his statement “in our way,” and once for money laundering.

Samvel Karapetyan, one of Armenia’s wealthiest individuals with an estimated fortune of $4.4 billion, has been a prominent figure in the country’s business and political landscape. In June, he was arrested following an interview with News.am, where he criticised the Armenian government’s conflict with the Armenian Apostolic Church and vowed to intervene “in our own way.” Hours later, the NSS raided his Yerevan mansion, and he was charged with inciting the overthrow of the government. A court approved a two-month pre-trial detention, transferring him to Armavir penitentiary.

On July 16, Armenian authorities announced new charges against Karapetyan, including money laundering, large-scale tax evasion, and fraud. His legal team called these accusations baseless, noting the absence of evidence linking Karapetyan to specific managerial decisions or financial misconduct.  

By Khagan Isayev