Investigators announced a criminal case against Karapetyan's supporters detained outside the court.

A criminal case of hooliganism and interference in the lawful official activities of an official is being investigated in connection with a rally by Samvel Karapetyan's supporters outside the Anti-Corruption Court of Armenia.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," on April 17, police detained 17 supporters of Tashir Group owner Samvel Karapetyan at a rally outside the Anti-Corruption Court in Yerevan, where his pre-trial detention was being considered. The court extended Karapetyan's house arrest.

The Investigative Committee of Armenia announced a criminal case in connection with the incident that occurred near the Anti-Corruption Court building involving supporters of the Strong Armenia party.

The case is being investigated on the grounds of hooliganism committed by a group of persons, as well as interference in the lawful official activities of an official, Novosti Armenia reports.

Seventeen people have been detained as part of the preliminary investigation. The necessary investigative and procedural actions are being carried out, the Investigative Committee reported.

The owner of Tashir Group, Samvel Karapetyan, has been charged with calls for the overthrow of the constitutional order and economic crimes. In November 2025, an Armenian court extended his pretrial detention, but on December 30, the businessman was transferred to house arrest. On January 12, the Prosecutor General's Office requested that Karapetyan be returned to pretrial detention. On January 16, Karapetyan was transferred to a penal institution from the hospital where he was being treated, but the court later refused to increase his pretrial detention and left him under house arrest. On January 18, the businessman was released from pretrial detention.

Karapetyan's Strong Armenia party announced its intention to participate in the National Assembly elections, which will be held on June 7. According to analysts, the parties of Karapetyan, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, and former President Robert Kocharyan will be key competitors in the elections.

The most pro-Russian parties in the Armenian parliamentary elections are Samvel Karapetyan's "Strong Armenia," Robert Kocharyan's "Armenia," and Gagik Tsarukyan's "Prosperous Armenia." The Kremlin is counting on Karapetyan, but he is legally ineligible to participate in the elections, Armenian political scientists previously noted.

The "Caucasian Knot" has prepared a report "2026 Elections to the National Assembly (Parliament) of Armenia".