According to a businessman, Samvel Karapetyan's nephew assaulted him in Yerevan and demanded 10 million euros

Businessman Vahe Parazyan recounted an incident where he was approached by four individuals while waiting for his driver outside a gym on Alek Manukyan Street in Yerevan on July 3. One of them asked if he was Vahe. When he turned around, he realized it was Narek Karapetyan, the son of former MP Karen Karapetyan and the first deputy president of the Tashir Group of Companies. "He was there with three bodyguards. They attacked me, he hit me first, in broad daylight. I was confused, asking what was going on. By the time I called my friends, they quickly got in their cars and left," Parazyan told Hetq.

Following the incident, the young businessman found Narek Karapetyan's phone number, called him, and arranged to meet at the Seasons café on Mashtots Avenue owned by Karapetyan. "I said I wanted to meet with you alone. He said, 'Come, Vahe jaan.' I arrived and found about 100 people, however many 'akh'raniq' (thugs) he has, spread all over the place. He was seated in the café, and I asked him what is the issue with me. He replied, 'Don't you know you have questions with our family?' I asked if he meant his uncle (Samvel Karapetyan, president of the Tashir Group) and he said yes. I inquired if he was sure about raising that question and whether his uncle was aware of it. He said he had come to speak on behalf of his family," he explained about the café meeting.

Vahe Parazyan further reported that Narek Karapetyan claimed that he had debts to his uncle in Russia. "He said, 'You've entered into your uncle’s territory.' I replied, 'If your uncle thinks this is his territory, it's not; this is an open space. It was a state institution.' He said, 'You have one option. If you think you came to Armenia and are safe, I’ll tell you that you’re mistaken, just like that.' I asked if he was threatening me. He replied, 'I’m warning you that I can send someone to create a serious problem for you.' He then said, 'You have one way out here, think it over well, Vahe. You need to bring 10 million euros to the fund we have for Artsakh, and we will send it there.' I said, 'You want me to do a favor for Artsakh at my own expense? You should do it.' I protested, saying my uncle imprisoned me for 1.5 years, ruined my family, took my business, and now you’re telling me that you’re owed by me? This is absurd,' Vahe Parazyan recounted.

The discussion between Parazyan and Narek Karapetyan revolves around the money available in the businessman’s bank accounts. "He said, 'I will make sure to check your accounts; if I find a large sum, what should I do?' I told him I’ve never worked for such a sum in my life. He said, 'If I find 10 million euros in your account, what then?' We’re already under Central Bank scrutiny. I replied, 'If you find it, I will gift it to you, but if you don’t find it, then what will you do?'

The discussion paused with the condition that Narek Karapetyan would speak with his uncle, Samvel Karapetyan, to determine the next steps. Parazyan also communicated with his parents about the situation, after which Narek Karapetyan called and invited Parazyan to his office, but the invitation was declined, leading to another meeting at the same café.