Mass rally in Yerevan demands release of Tashir Group owner VIDEO

A large-scale march in support of Armenian-Russian businessman Samvel Karapetyan, owner of the Tashir and ESA groups of companies, commenced in central Yerevan.

The procession began at Malibu Park on Mashtots Avenue and is heading toward the detention facility of Armenia’s National Security Service, where Karapetyan is currently being held, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenoian media.

Organisers of the demonstration have confirmed that the public gathering and subsequent march were officially authorised and coordinated in advance with both the Yerevan Mayor’s Office and the Armenian Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Participants of the march are voicing demands for Karapetyan’s release and are carrying banners calling for transparency in the legal proceedings surrounding his detention.

Samvel Karapetyan, founder of the Tashir Group and Electricity Networks of Armenia, was arrested in Yerevan on June 18 following a police search of his home.

He faces charges under Part 2 of Article 422 of Armenia’s Criminal Code for allegedly making “public calls to seize power” after he criticised the government’s stance on the Armenian Apostolic Church, warning that “if politicians fail … we will intervene in our own way.” A court has since ordered his detention for two months pending trial.

His legal team has dismissed the charges as politically motivated, arguing that the arrest is an attempt to silence his support for the Church.

By Vafa Guliyeva