During a televised pre-election debate among the lead candidates of participating political forces, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that Samvel Karapetyan, who heads the Strong Armenia party, will not be able to leave Armenia in the near future.

“He is facing money laundering charges. He will have to answer for inflating and pocketing funds allocated to kindergartens, schools and military units,” Pashinyan said, according to Auroranews.am .

Aram Sargsyan, leader of the Republic Party, asked Narek Karapetyan whether Samvel Karapetyan would settle in Armenia and continue operating as an economic and political figure if Strong Armenia failed in the elections.

“Our struggle is for victory. Samvel Karapetyan will achieve victory and move to Armenia. He will spend the coming years ensuring prosperity for our country, providing a way out of poverty and freedom for people who want to express their views. That is our program and the path we will follow,” Karapetyan replied, according to Aysor.am .

Addressing Sargsyan, Narek Karapetyan added: “In a few days, you will see that victory yourself. You will also see how Samvel Karapetyan implements his plans.”

The election campaign, which began on May 8, will continue until June 5. June 6 will be a day of silence, and voting will take place on June 7. On May 25, it became known that the Alliance Progressive Centrist Party had submitted a withdrawal request, on the basis of which the Central Electoral Commission invalidated the registration of the party’s electoral list. As a result, there will be no ballot paper numbered 13 in the upcoming elections.