Arshak Karapetyan Detained and Later Released in Moscow
The Criminal Police Department of Armenia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs reports that former Defense Minister Arshak Karapetyan was located and detained in Moscow on December 29 but was soon released.
According to the Armenian Ministry of Internal Affairs, Arshak Karapetyan has been wanted by Armenia since December 5, 2024, on multiple charges, including illegal entrepreneurial activities, abuse of official position, and negligence. An interstate search had been announced for him, and a travel ban had been imposed as a preventive measure.
Karapetyan was appointed as Armenia’s Minister of Defense on August 2, 2021, and was dismissed from the position on November 15 of the same year. Reports suggest that his dismissal was due to an incident on November 14, 2021, when Karapetyan reported a calm situation at the border, despite Azerbaijani forces having already intruded into Armenia.
Karapetyan founded the “Pan-Armenian Front” party, which, however, was not registered by the Ministry of Justice. He frequently speaks out against the government and seeks to bring about a change in power.