Samvel Karapetyan illegally detained for more than half a year: There is no case, only prolonged detention – Aram Vardevanyan

“In Armenia, as we approach 2026, the news agenda and objective reality once again point to the use of coercive measures. Samvel Karapetyan has been illegally detained for more than half a year. It makes no sense – such a long-term, intensive detention – logically,” wrote lawyer Aram Vardevanyan.

He continued: “Then we recall that four Holy Fathers are also illegally detained, and that there are numerous political prisoners in the country.

Commander Ashot Minasyan (65 years old, with serious health issues) remains in prison by a decision of the Court of Appeals based on a complaint filed by the prosecutor’s office. In other words, even minimum legal and humanitarian standards have been disregarded. Former officials have also been arrested, seemingly for the sole purpose of detention. At the same time, Armenia has many alternative preventive measures – such as house arrest and administrative supervision – which, in cases of public significance, simply do not function.

In all of this, the degradation of law and humanity is evident. In this context, it is appropriate to recall a passage from the preface to the fundamental legal work “Vorogayt Parats” by the Shahamiryans, compiled in the 18th century: ‘…how much more goodness do we need to govern our lives by law and freedom, so that we may become worthy of the worship of the Lord.’”