The court hearing in the case of businessman, philanthropist, and leader of the Strong Armenia party Samvel Karapetyan has been postponed, Armenia’s Anti-Corruption Court reported, according to Sputnik Armenia.
“The session will continue on April 17 at 13:30,” the court said.
The first hearing in the criminal case against Karapetyan had begun on the morning of April 15 at the Anti-Corruption Court. The defense filed a motion to change his preventive measure, while the prosecutor requested a three-month extension of his house arrest.
Defense lawyer Arshak Vardanyan stated that testimonies from 42 witnesses collected during the investigation do not confirm the charges brought against Karapetyan, Factor.am reports.
According to the defense, there is therefore no risk that he would influence witnesses if released. They also argue that Karapetyan is not likely to evade the investigation.
“Samvel Karapetyan is not someone who would flee; he has made a political bid and is the leader of the Strong Armenia’ party, Vardanyan said.
On June 17, 2025, a search was conducted at Karapetyan’s residence after he publicly expressed support for the Armenian Apostolic Church, stating that a small group, disregarding Armenian history and the Church’s centuries-long path, had acted against the Church and the people. He was detained on June 18.
Karapetyan has been charged under several articles of the Criminal Code, including tax evasion, money laundering, and public calls to seize power, violate territorial integrity, renounce sovereignty, or overthrow the constitutional order.
