In brief

• Armenian investigators searched about 65 addresses linked to opposition leader Samvel Karapetyan and his family on November 4.
• Karapetyan was then detained on suspicion of large-scale fraud, abuse of office and money laundering.
• The case involves 36 people and alleged losses of 64.5 billion drams (about $180 million) at Electric Networks of Armenia.

Searches across 65 addresses

Armenian investigators began searching properties linked to Samvel Karapetyan early on November 4 (В Армении задержан пророссийский политик-миллиардер Самвел Карапетян – NV) (В Армении силовики провели обыски у российско-армянского миллиардера Самвела Карапетяна и его семьи — Новая газета Европа – novayagazeta.eu). Karapetyan heads the pro-Russian opposition party Strong Armenia and owns the Tashir Group (В Армении проводят обыски в доме представителя оппозиции Карапетяна - Ведомости – vedomosti.ru). The Investigative Committee of Armenia said the searches were part of a single criminal case and covered 65 addresses. Officers of the National Security Service took part in the searches at the home of his nephew, Narek Karapetyan, a parliament deputy who leads the party's faction.

Detention and charges

After the searches, Karapetyan was taken from his home, leaving through a rear gate, according to Armenian media (Карапетяна увезли ОБНОВЛЕНО / ВИДЕО – caliber.az). The Investigative Committee confirmed his detention to Radio Svoboda's Armenian service (В Армении по новому делу задержан миллиардер Самвел Карапетян – svoboda.org). He is suspected of large-scale fraud, abuse of office and large-scale money laundering. The case involves 36 people and centres on Electric Networks of Armenia, which investigators say suffered losses of 64.5 billion drams, about $180 million.

Background

Karapetyan was first arrested in June 2025 and charged with calls to overthrow the government and financial crimes; he denies wrongdoing. Earlier, he had defended the Armenian Apostolic Church after its clergy were criticised by the authorities.

Family and seized property

Narek Karapetyan's father, former deputy Karen Karapetyan, told journalists that investigators seized gaming computers belonging to Narek's children during the searches. The opposition party's press secretary, Agavni Sukiasyan, first reported the raids.

Key figures

• Addresses searched: 65
• People charged in the case: 36
• Estimated damage to Electric Networks of Armenia: 64.5 billion drams (about $180 million)