“Only in the hands of Samvel Karapetyan will the church be safe, and the hostages returned” – Robert Amsterdam

“God bless Armenia,” said Robert Amsterdam, international lawyer and member of Samvel Karapetyan’s advocacy group, as he opened his speech at the congress of the “Strong Armenia” party.

Amsterdam stated that difficult times test the character of individuals and nations. He said he had witnessed how Samvel Karapetyan was separated from his family and placed in what he described as unjust and unjustified prison conditions by political authorities. 

“During that time, Samvel demonstrated rock-solid strength, guided by his love for his family and his nation. It is a great honor and privilege to speak on behalf of this great patriot,” Amsterdam said.

According to him, Karapetyan is a leader who will ensure respect for Armenia’s religion, culture, and history and will not make concessions to foreign powers.

“He understands that peace does not mean surrender. As an Armenian, he knows that no political interest or future plan justifies even a single day of the illegal imprisonment of persecuted Christians in Baku,” Amsterdam stated. He questioned why images of Armenians held in Baku are not displayed publicly and why the issue was not raised prominently during meetings with the U.S. Vice President.

Amsterdam also referred to persecuted Christians in Yerevan and said that Karapetyan’s “crime” was being “a defender of God and Christ.” 

He stressed that the issue of Armenians held in Baku must remain constantly on the public agenda. “We must move mountains for them,” he said, adding that those who attempt to use their fate as leverage would be disappointed in the face of the strength of the Armenian people and Karapetyan’s steadfast position.

The lawyer noted that he has worked in the field of human rights protection for 40 years and has seen legal systems used as political tools to silence opponents.

“Today, here and in June at the ballot boxes, a strong response is needed, as the current government is undermining constitutional principles and the apostolic character of the Church. Armenians must protect and honor the Armenian Apostolic Church,” he said, adding that the Church is foundational to the country’s culture, language, and history.

Recalling a prison visit with Karapetyan, Amsterdam said that after several months of detention he expected to see a broken and exhausted man.

“I saw nothing of the sort. I saw a man of faith whose love for God and family surpassed concern for his own safety. He was ready to sacrifice his freedom for the sake of the Republic of Armenia and its people. Only in his hands will the Church be safe and the hostages returned,” Robert Amsterdam concluded.