Tashir Pizza chain faces shutdowns across Armenia as owner detained

Authorities in Armenia have suspended operations at six catering outlets of the Tashir Pizza chain over the past two days, citing alleged violations of sanitary regulations.

Five of the affected establishments are located in the capital, Yerevan, while one is situated in Vanadzor, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

The suspension follows a similar action taken against the company’s dairy production facility in Tashir city, which was also halted the day prior. These enforcement measures have coincided with the criminal prosecution and recent arrest of Samvel Karapetyan, the Russian-Armenian business tycoon, a founder and president of the Tashir Group. A Yerevan court ordered Karapetyan’s detention for two months amid ongoing investigations.

Tashir Pizza operates as one of Armenia’s largest pizza chains, with 36 outlets spread across various cities in the country. The recent closures and legal developments have raised concerns about potential broader repercussions for the company and its business operations amid the intensifying scrutiny.

To recall, on June 17, Armenia’s National Security Service conducted a raid on Karapetyan’s residence in Yerevan, followed by his detention by the Main Department for Combating Organized Crime under the Armenian Interior Ministry. The operation occurred shortly after Karapetyan publicly criticised Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s attacks on the Armenian Apostolic Church and expressed his intent to intervene if political leaders failed to act.

Following the raid, Karapetyan was transferred to the Investigative Committee of Armenia, where a criminal case was formally opened against him. On June 18, police cordoned off the courthouse in Yerevan, where a judge was expected to decide whether to formally place Karapetyan under arrest. The detention has sparked significant public and political backlash, with supporters gathering outside the Main Department for Combating Organized Crime’s building in Yerevan to protest the actions against him. Reports indicate that during the raid, 45 individuals were detained, with two sustaining broken arms due to alleged excessive force by law enforcement. Multiple vehicles in the vicinity were also impounded.

Karapetyan responded to the raid, stating, “I will continue to stand by our Church and the Armenian people. I will fight with all my strength for the sacred values of the Armenian people—wherever I may be, no matter what happens.” 

By Vafa Guliyeva