Mother See condemns Samvel Karapetyan’s detention

The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin issued a statement late last night, condemning the detention of businessman and philanthropist Samvel Karapetyan as politically motivated and yet another manifestation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s anti-church campaign. The full statement is provided below.

“A short whle ago, we were informed that the Yerevan Criminal Court of General Jurisdiction decided to impose detention on national benefactor Mr. Samvel Karapetyan under pressure from the authorities.

The persecution of Mr. Samvel Karapetyan is yet another manifestation of the prime minister’s anti-church campaign, aimed at depriving the Armenian Apostolic Church of the support of its faithful flock through intimidation and threats.

We strongly condemn this disgraceful conduct and regard it as a blow not only to the reputation and credibility of the Republic of Armenia, but also to the Armenian church.

We express our full solidarity with Mr. Samvel Karapetyan and the Karapetyan family, and we pray for the Lord’s help and protection for them.”