Russian oligarch sues Armenian parliament speaker over defamation

Samvel Karapetyan, a Russian oligarch and leader of the Strong Armenia party, has filed a lawsuit against Armenian parliament speaker Alen Simonyan, alleging defamation and seeking both a public retraction and financial compensation.

According to TASS, the lawsuit has been published on the Datalex judicial portal. Karapetyan’s legal team is requesting that the court compel Simonyan to retract what it describes as “false and defamatory” statements posted on social media on May 19, 2026.

In addition to the retraction, Karapetyan is seeking 6 million drams (approximately $16,000) in compensation for moral damages, as well as reimbursement of legal expenses.

The case is part of a broader series of legal actions initiated by Karapetyan. Earlier reports indicated that he has also filed lawsuits against the ruling Civil Contract party led by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, as well as Armenia’s Public Television, similarly demanding retractions of statements he considers defamatory.

No response from Simonyan has been reported so far.

By Tamilla Hasanova