Trial of Samvel Karapetyan opens in Armenia’s Anti-Corruption Court

On April 15, the trial of businessman and leader of the “Strong Armenia” party, Samvel Karapetyan, commenced at Armenia’s Anti-Corruption Court. The pre-trial investigation lasted ten months.

Karapetyan has been charged with publicly calling for the usurpation of power, violently overthrowing the constitutional order, and money laundering on an especially large scale.

His defense team and supporters have described the case as “politically motivated persecution.”

He is currently under house arrest. The defense has filed a motion requesting the court to prioritize consideration of lifting the house arrest measure, arguing that he should be allowed to attend his party’s congress scheduled for April 21.

Judge Vahe Dolmazyan has not permitted live broadcasting or filming of the court proceedings.