Pashinyan's ally responds to questions about detained Russian oligarch

Armenian Parliament Deputy Speaker Ruben Rubinyan has publicly responded to questions raised by Narek Karapetyan, the nephew of detained Russian-Armenian billionaire Samvel Karapetyan, dismissing what he suggested was an attempt to provoke unanswered speculation.

In a Facebook post published on December 23, Rubinyan addressed a series of questions posed earlier by Karapetyan regarding his uncle’s dependencies and influence, Caliber.Az reports.

Karapetyan had questioned whether there could be any individual in Armenia on whom Samvel Karapetyan depends. In response, Rubinyan stated that such a person could indeed exist, noting that this would not necessarily be limited to Armenia but could also apply to the other countries whose citizenship Karapetyan holds, namely Cyprus and Russia.

Addressing another question about whether the family controlling the largest Armenian capital could be dependent on anyone, Rubinyan said that such dependence was natural. He argued that the family’s influence and vulnerability are linked to the locations where the bulk of its capital is held.

Russian-Armenian oligarch, the owner of the Tashir Group, was 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 Sabina Mammadli