Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan told the Armenian parliament during a government Q&A that Yerevan has submitted an official note to Russia regarding interference in Armenia’s internal affairs. This came in response to Russian statements following the initiation of legal proceedings against businessman Samvel Karapetyan. According to Aysor.am , Mirzoyan noted that: “Yesterday, on Russian public television, unacceptable calls, distorted assessments and insults were made—even of a personal nature, including against Armenia’s leadership. Immediately after, similar comments were made by Russian politicians—members of parliament and government majority representatives.”

He added that this rhetoric contradicts not only the historically friendly relations between Armenia and Russia but also represents a direct intervention in Armenia’s internal affairs. “We consider this not only contrary to the traditional Armenia–Russia friendship and the legal documents that regulate this friendship, but a direct blatant interference in Armenia’s internal affairs and an infringement on sovereignty and democracy. We have informed our Russian counterparts about this, and I believe that as of now, the official note should have reached its addressee,” Mirzoyan said.

In the early hours of June 18, businessman Samvel Karapetyan left his Yerevan residence and left with law enforcement. Hours earlier, he had issued a statement supporting the Armenian Apostolic Church: “I am alongside our church and our people. No matter how much they try to blacken it, I don’t care about any power lines… I don’t care about them or their lines. Everything will be fine; the people are united and will speak up; they will realize they were wrong.”

In response, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan wrote: “Why have these debauched ‘clergy’ and their debauched ‘benefactors’ become active? Don’t worry—we will deal with them again. And permanently.” He added later that the electric distribution network (HETC) should be nationalized – and done quickly.