Where Did the 'Goal of a Democratic State' Go? 'Fact'

Samvel Karapetyan has been in custody for over 80 days. Generally, detention is an exceptional pre-trial measure, meaning it is about preventing a certain level of risky behavior, for example, when a person is arrested at the moment of crossing the border, or when there are important witnesses in a case that someone is trying to influence. In other circumstances, the legislation provides for many other pre-trial measures that do not involve being in a correctional institution. This is reported by the 'Fact' newspaper.

“During Nikol Pashinyan's administration in Armenia, not only multiple standards are applied in this regard, but also detention has become a means of punishment. It is interesting to compare what picture has been formed in other high-profile cases. Everyone remembers the criminal case of the theft of $590,000 from the investigation office, in which a key role was played by the head of one of the investigative departments. On May 25, 2025, he was detained for two months on charges of particularly large-scale theft, for which the punishment cannot be a fine, but solely imprisonment for 4 to 8 years. However, since July 22, 2025, the known investigator has been placed under house arrest, and the court has explicitly stated that all risks of improper behavior are present, but another pre-trial measure is being applied.

The next case concerns the former head of the Shengavit district, who is even accused of torturing a person. After about two months in custody, the arrest of him and the person who assisted him has been changed to house arrest.

Returning to Samvel Karapetyan, it should be noted that he voluntarily presented himself to the Investigative Committee and is known for his charitable activities, creating jobs, and making the largest investments in the economy. On June 17, 2025, in reference to the protection of the Mother Cathedral, Samvel Karapetyan stated, “If this does not succeed for the politicians, we will participate in all of this in our own way.” And now, just for this statement, Samvel Karapetyan has been in custody for over 80 days, visits are completely restricted, and no other pre-trial measure is being utilized. In other words, a person accused of stealing $600,000 in broad daylight and someone who abducts and tortures a person along with their accomplice can receive alternative pre-trial measures, but Samvel Karapetyan cannot.

Respecting everyone's presumption of innocence, there is something wrong here. Or... a lot wrong. Additionally, it might be appropriate to recall Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s speech in the National Assembly on October 23, 2024, and note the ongoing disconnection between that and reality: “This is also a problem because, especially our reformed legislation, the goal of a democratic state can never be to fill prisons; on the contrary, we have implemented reforms that we do not even notice. Now we, for example, have house arrest. That is, the pre-trial measure has been chosen, and those people are with their families, beside their children; is that bad? I don't understand. So, what, should we take every person and chop them up, fill the prisons, and do nothing?”

So, how is it that in Samvel Karapetyan's case, even house arrest is not chosen as a pre-trial measure, where has Pashinyan's stated 'goal of a democratic state' gone? Although, if we also add Pashinyan's phrase, “Now I will intervene in my own way,” then all the answers to the questions fall into place,” writes the newspaper.