Bishop Tatev Hakobyan, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Romania, Acting Primate of the Bulgarian Diocese, and Patriarchal Delegate to Balkan countries, has issued a statement expressing deep concern over recent developments in Armenia.

He stated that amid regional tensions and serious challenges facing Armenia, it is “unacceptable for the Armenian government to target and discredit prominent Armenians who stand in defense of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and our national Church,” according to Aysor.am .

“We express our full support to national benefactor and devoted son of the Church, Mr. Samvel Karapetyan, who is facing political persecution for defending the interests of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and our Apostolic Holy Church. On behalf of our Diocese and the faithful, we call on Armenian authorities and law enforcement to immediately stop the political persecution and repression against Mr. Karapetyan,” the bishop stated.

He warned that this “artificially initiated campaign of vindictiveness” could have devastating consequences, adding, “the true intentions of the ruling authorities are evident even to the naked eye. We can only remind them of the Gospel words: ‘Let him who is without sin cast the first stone’ (John 8:7).”

In the early hours of June 18, businessman Samvel Karapetyan was taken from his Yerevan residence by law enforcement. Later, it was announced that he had been questioned by the Investigative Committee and detained for two months over a public call allegedly aimed at usurping government powers. Just hours before his detention, Karapetyan had declared support for the Armenian Apostolic Church, stating: “I stand with our Church and our people… they can try to smear everything, but I don’t care about them or their electric grid… everything will be fine, the people will speak, and they’ll realize they were wrong.” In response, Prime Minister Pashinyan wrote, “Why have the ‘depraved clergymen’ and their ‘depraved benefactors’ suddenly become active? Never mind—we’ll shut them down again. This time for good.” He later added that the Electric Networks of Armenia should be swiftly nationalized.