Pashinyan criticized the Russian billionaire "who came from somewhere"

No one has the right to threaten the Republic of Armenia, this cannot be done by "some people who came from somewhere." This statement was made by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan regarding the Russian billionaire, owner of the Tashir Group of Companies Samvel Karapetyan.

Pashinyan said that he had set one month for compensation for damage to citizens from the Electric Networks enterprise due to power outages. Otherwise, this company, which is owned by Karapetyan, will be transferred to the ownership of Armenia, the prime minister noted.

Earlier, Karapetyan's house in Yerevan was searched, and he himself was detained. He was charged with public calls for the seizure of power. Earlier, he supported the Armenian Church against the backdrop of harsh statements by the authorities against the highest hierarchs.

"A small group of people attacked the Church. These events once again demonstrated the complete failure of the current government. "Sincere hatred of the Church, disdain for national values ​​- this is an incomplete list of the qualities of this government," Karapetyan said.

In 2022, the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) of Ukraine called the billionaire a sponsor of a PMC, whose fighters were recruited in prisons for the war with Ukraine. Samvel Karapetyan ranks 44th in the Forbes rating of Russian billionaires, his fortune is estimated at $3.2 billion.

Последние новости
Georgia again rejected calls to join anti-Russian sanctions
Politics
Georgia again rejected calls to join anti-Russian sanctions
25 February 2026

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze criticized Brussels' demands to join sanctions against Russia. He said these calls were inappropriate, given that the EU itself is a major importer of Russian products.

Ruben Vardanyan Drops Appeal Against 20-Year Sentence in Azerbaijan
Human rights
Ruben Vardanyan Drops Appeal Against 20-Year Sentence in Azerbaijan
25 February 2026

Billionaire and former Nagorno-Karabakh state minister Ruben Vardanyan, sentenced in Baku to 20 years in prison, rejected the legal force of the ruling and dropped his appeal. His family explained that this decision stemmed from the fact that, in their view, the trial was a "staged performance" rather than a proper trial: the hearings were held behind closed doors, without access to independent observers, and the prosecution's motions were ignored. The full text of the verdict was also not released.

Azerbaijani political prisoners appeal to the European Commission to address human rights in the country
Human rights
Azerbaijani political prisoners appeal to the European Commission to address human rights in the country
25 February 2026

A group of imprisoned activists and journalists from Baku's Penal Colony No. 2 has appealed to the President of the European Commission. They demand the implementation of European Parliament resolutions calling for the release of Azerbaijani political prisoners.

Chechnya Leads in Lowest Alcohol Sales
Economy
Chechnya Leads in Lowest Alcohol Sales
25 February 2026

In 2025, residents of the North Caucasus regions consumed the least amount of hard liquor in Russia. The lowest official retail sales figures were recorded in Chechnya (0.01 liters per capita). Other republics of the North Caucasus Federal District also demonstrated modest figures: Ingushetia - 0.7 liters, Dagestan - 2.2 liters, Kabardino-Balkaria - 2.6 liters, North Ossetia - 3 liters, and Karachay-Cherkessia - 3.4 liters. Experts attribute this decline to the prevalence of cultural and religious restrictions, as well as a preference for low-alcohol beverages.