Samvel Karapetyan will head a new opposition alliance aimed at unseating Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, according to a representative of the jailed Russian-Armenian billionaire. The announcement signals Karapetyan’s formal entry into Armenian politics amid growing dissatisfaction with the current government.
Karapetyan declared the formation of a political team on July 14, nearly a month after his arrest following public criticism of Pashinyan’s campaign against the Armenian Apostolic Church. While it remains unclear which prominent figures will join him, the group is already being discussed as a potential force ahead of the 2026 parliamentary elections.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Karapetyan’s nephew and spokesperson, Narek Karapetyan, confirmed that the tycoon would officially lead the new party—even though his Russian citizenship makes him ineligible for the prime minister’s post.
“Samvel Karapetyan will be the leader of our team,” he said. “We will move forward under his direction, and on all matters—economic, social, and foreign policy—we will follow the course he sets.”
He declined to confirm or deny speculation that former Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan (no relation), who held office from 2016 to 2018, might lead the party’s electoral list. Karen Karapetyan, who has spoken out against the prosecution of the billionaire, has not commented on the matter.
Political analysts believe Samvel Karapetyan could reshape Armenia’s political map, appealing to large swaths of voters disillusioned with both the ruling party and the traditional opposition. According to polls, such undecided voters may now represent the largest segment of the electorate.
The 59-year-old tycoon, who has primarily resided in Russia since the 1990s, was initially charged with inciting the violent overthrow of the government. After declaring his political intentions, Armenian authorities added accusations of tax evasion, fraud, and money laundering—all of which he denies as politically motivated.
At a July 16 press conference, Pashinyan all but acknowledged that the crackdown was linked to Karapetyan’s political aspirations. He insisted that Karapetyan must renounce his Russian citizenship before engaging in political activity in Armenia.
