Samvel Karapetyan's Detention Extended

Philanthropist and businessman Samvel Karapetyan's detention has been extended for another 30 days. This decision was made by the Anti-Corruption Court, presided over by Vahe Dolmazyan.

It is noteworthy that the investigator submitted the request for the extension of detention on October 11. “The court noted today that both the second and third charges (economic offenses) do not even meet the threshold of reasonable suspicion. As for the calls, the understanding seems to be that this month is extended with the logic that ‘either complete this case and send it to court, or finish it altogether,’” said Samvel Karapetyan’s attorney Aram Vardevanyan, emphasizing that the investigator's request was partly satisfied.

Samvel Karapetyan's accusation has been modified, according to the Investigative Committee of Armenia.

Attorney Armen Ferojyan also added, “In Armenian judicial practice, we cannot find even one example where a person has been kept in detention for 4-5 months under a medium severity article (Article 422 of the Criminal Code – calls for seizing power), which also provides for a fine. There cannot be a similar case, especially since this individual has no criminal record and has a high public reputation, not to mention that we are talking about a philanthropist and a person who has created significant national values.”

The request was considered for two days and concluded on October 16 at 01:30 AM.

The legal team had previously stated that the judge assigned to “this evidently unfounded request” is known to make decisions in favor of the authorities in cases that have received significant public attention. Vahe Dolmazyan has made detention decisions regarding the deputy chairman of the Republican Party of Armenia, Armen Ashtoyan, former Minister of Defense Davit Tonoyan, Judge Arusyak Aleksanyan, former Chair of the Council of Court of cassation, Ruben Vardazaryan, and others.

Dolmazyan was formerly a prosecutor and gained particular notoriety in the criminal case against former MP, General Manvel Grigoryan, when he served as the prosecuting attorney.