Russian billionaire arrested in Armenia again criticizes the country's authorities

Russian businessman, billionaire, head of the Tashir Group Samvel Karapetyan, who was taken into custody in Armenia, published another appeal. He accused the Armenian authorities of breaking ties with Russia.

Karapetyan emphasizes that reliability, predictability and honesty are important for Russia as Armenia's main ally.

"Instead, Yerevan defected to the European Union, not realizing that Armenia was not and is not expected there. Loudly proclaiming sovereignty at every step, they turned our country into an instrument for asserting someone else's sovereignty," Karapetyan wrote.

According to him, the Pashinyan government, begging for peace, in return makes new concessions, accepting increasingly harsh and humiliating conditions from Azerbaijan.

On June 19, a court in Yerevan arrested Samvel Karapetyan for two months. Earlier, he publicly stood up for Catholicos Garegin II. Karapetyan was accused of publicly calling for the seizure of power in Armenia. Before this, the Investigative Committee of Armenia reported on the prevention of an attempt at terrorism and the seizure of power in the country, suspecting the leader of the opposition movement "Sacred Struggle", Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had previously published a copy of the "failed" opposition plan to remove him from power on a social network. He believes that the authors of the plan are former Armenian presidents Robert Kocharyan and Serzh Sargsyan, Samvel Karapetyan and the head of the Armenian Church Garegin II.

Последние новости
Ukrainian drone strikes hit southern Russia and Dagestan overnight
Politics
Ukrainian drone strikes hit southern Russia and Dagestan overnight
31 July 2026

On the night of July 31, residents of Kaspiysk reported explosions near the seaport, which serves as the base for the Caspian Flotilla. Russian authorities have not officially commented on reports of a possible attack on the port. That same night, Ukrainian drones also struck other Russian regions.

Georgian Prosecutor’s Office to Bring New Charges Against Opposition Coalition Leader
Politics
Georgian Prosecutor’s Office to Bring New Charges Against Opposition Coalition Leader
31 July 2026

The Georgian Prosecutor’s Office intends to bring new charges against Aleko Elisashvili, a leader of the "Lelo – Strong Georgia" coalition. According to his lawyers, the politician is set to be charged with contempt of court. The formal presentation of charges is scheduled for July 31.

Moscow Responds to Yerevan’s Ban: ‘Replacing Armenian Goods Will Not Be Difficult’
Politics
Moscow Responds to Yerevan’s Ban: ‘Replacing Armenian Goods Will Not Be Difficult’
31 July 2026

Moscow has said it will have no difficulty replacing Armenian goods after Yerevan imposed a six-month ban on tomato paste imports, citing the impact of Russia’s restrictions on Armenian agricultural exports.

Chechnya Promotes Mountainous Areas: Photo Contest of Local Mountains Announced in Vedeno
Society
Chechnya Promotes Mountainous Areas: Photo Contest of Local Mountains Announced in Vedeno
31 July 2026

The administration of the Vedensky District in Chechnya has announced a contest for photographs and short videos featuring local mountain scenery. A prize of 100,000 rubles is offered for the best entry, while the runners-up in second and third place will receive 70,000 and 50,000 rubles, respectively.