17 Karapetyan supporters detained in Yerevan

Police detained 17 supporters of Samvel Karapetyan at a protest outside the Anti-Corruption Court, where the politician's pre-trial detention is being considered. The defense is asking for the house arrest to be lifted.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot," on March 13 and the night of March 14, a Yerevan court held a 10-hour hearing, during which it extended the house arrest of Strong Armenia party leader Samvel Karapetyan. The businessman's arrest is hindering the party's preparations for the June parliamentary elections, his lawyer stated. On April 15, a Yerevan court began hearing the case of Strong Armenia party leader Samvel Karapetyan. The defense requested the release of the defendant from house arrest to prepare for the June parliamentary elections.

Police detained 17 supporters of Samvel Karapetyan at a protest outside the Anti-Corruption Court, where the politician's pretrial detention is being considered. The defense is asking for the house arrest to be lifted.

During a march held before the start of the court hearing in the case of Strong Armenia party leader, businessman, and philanthropist Samvel Karapetyan, 17 people were detained, the Armenian police reported.

"17 people were detained and taken to community police units for committing an act under Article 182 of the Administrative Offenses Code of Armenia," the report said.

The first court hearing on changing the preventive measure against Samvel Karapetyan was scheduled for April 15, but was postponed until April 17, News.Am reports.

According to the agency, Vaghinak Ghazaryan, director of the Tashir Pizza chain, is among those detained. He sustained injuries during his arrest, with blood visible on his forehead.

A clash between police and Samvel Karapetyan's supporters occurred near the Anti-Corruption Court, with police pushing protesters away from the building, Aysor.Am reports.

The police action was prompted by the closure of a section of the roadway near the courthouse. Police initially ensured that the section of road remained open, but after the number of protesters increased, people began to spill onto the roadway and obstruct traffic. Law enforcement officers called on the march organizers to vacate the area and urge the protesters to return to the sidewalk. They then began advancing in a solid line, forcing the protesters to retreat from the roadway, Armenia Today reports.

Aram Vardevanyan, the lawyer for Strong Armenia party leader Samvel Karapetyan, petitioned the court to lift the house arrest measure applied to him, proposing to increase the previously set bail amount.

The lawyer noted that Samvel Karapetyan is prepared to post an additional 400 million drams in addition to the already set bail of 4 billion drams. He also emphasized that Karapetyan has not committed any violations over the past 10 months, Aysor.Am writes.

"The Strong Armenia Party has convened a congress for April 21, and the participation of its leader, Karapetyan, is crucial, as issues related to the elections will be discussed at the congress, and he must be involved in compiling the list. This is essential for guaranteeing the equality and competitiveness of the elections, given the active involvement of the head of the ruling Civil Contract party in the pre-election processes," stated lawyer Aram Vardevanyan.

He recalled that the Central Election Commission is already accepting applications from political forces, lists are being compiled, and this process will continue until April 23, News.Am writes.