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Armenian Court Lifts Speech Ban on Samvel Karapetyan, Keeps Him on House Arrest

The ruling frees the businessman to speak publicly ahead of a planned address next week.

Overview

  • Armenia’s Anti-Corruption Court rescinded the December 30 ban on Karapetyan’s public appeals and rejected prosecutors’ request to remand him, maintaining house arrest.
  • The move followed a brief legal back-and-forth after an appellate ruling disrupted his transfer from custody and authorities attempted to return him to detention.
  • Electric Networks of Armenia filed a civil defamation suit against Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan over claims the utility "robs the people," seeking a retraction and 6 million drams.
  • The government maintains the company’s nationalization is irreversible, as Karapetyan’s family continues international arbitration with a preliminary damages claim of about $500 million.
  • Karapetyan denies the criminal charges and, according to his movement’s coordinator, plans to present his policy vision for the country next week.