Ishkhan Saghatelyan: Pashinyan targeting church and business leaders to appease Turkey

Opposition MP and ARF Armenia leader Ishkhan Saghatelyan believes there is a direct link between Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s campaign against the Armenian Apostolic Church, businessman and philanthropist Samvel Karapetyan’s persecution and his anticipated visit to Turkey.

Speaking to reporters outside a Yerevan court on Wednesday, where he joined many others in a show of solidarity with Karapetyan, Saghatelyan accused the government of systematically targeting influential Armenians who support the church and raise the Artsakh issue.

“This is a clear message to all major Armenian business figures: if you don’t align with Turkish demands, you’ll face the same fate,” the MP warned.

Commenting on Pashinyan’s recent remarks about the nationalization of the Electric Networks of Armenia, Saghatelyan stated that the real aim is to seize Russian-owned assets.

Saghatelyan also disclosed that discussions are underway among various political forces and public figures to initiate a “more serious and profound political process” in response to recent developments.