The treatment of Samvel Karapetyan is neither fair nor, in popular parlance, humane. Karen Karapetyan

Former Prime Minister of Armenia Karen Karapetyan issued a statement, which reads:

"Samvel Karapetyan is my friend and relative, therefore I do not rule out that what I say about him and what is happening around him in the Republic of Armenia these days will be perceived subjectively and emotionally, which is why I will try to structure what I say as objectively and based on facts as possible."

1. Samvel Karapetyan has never been part of any government, has never held any position under any government, and his financial capabilities and assets have not been formed in Armenia.

2. Samvel Karapetyan has carried out his unprecedented and large-scale charitable activities in Armenia and Artsakh without conditioning it on who was in power at the time or on his attitude towards that power. This fact can be confirmed even by taking a cursory look at the list of charitable works he has performed over the years (including the last seven years).

3. All Armenian philanthropists, including Samvel Karapetyan, treat the Republic of Armenia and, I hope, will continue to treat it as their own home, a hearth, from which they simply expect fair treatment in accordance with their behavior towards the homeland.

4. In the Republic of Armenia, every person has the right to have and express their own opinion on various issues, which may not coincide with or be pleasant to this or that person, regardless of who that person is or what position they hold.

5. Samvel Karapetyan has a unique role in the Armenian Diaspora not only due to his charitable deeds or financial assistance, but also because he has always tried to help our compatriots in his own way, including by advising, reconciling, supporting, and smoothing over sharp edges when needed.

6. S. Karapetyan has the right to have his own attitude towards our church, to express his position and opinion on the recent events surrounding the church, and to participate in the discussion, resolution, and overcoming of that issue to his own extent and in his own way.

7. The interpretation of Samvel Karapetyan's words that formed the basis of the criminal proceedings against him is at least controversial, taking into account the numerous ways and means of resolving issues that could have been covered by those words (see point 5).

8. I think the treatment of him is not fair nor, in popular parlance, humane.

9. In terms of the atmosphere created in Armenia (hatred, intolerance, rejection of opposing opinions, etc.), everyone has something to do, first and foremost the government of the day, since its capabilities in that regard are the broadest.

I hope that the competent state bodies will make a logical and legally compliant decision, taking into account Samvel's biography.

"I believe that this controversial process can continue without the use of detention, which is unacceptable from a legal and moral point of view."