The defense called for Karapetyan's release from house arrest.

A Yerevan court has begun hearing the case of Strong Armenia party leader Samvel Karapetyan. The defense has requested that the defendant be released from house arrest to prepare for the June parliamentary elections.

As reported by the Caucasian Knot, on March 13 and into 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.

Today, the trial of Samvel Karapetyan begins in the Anti-Corruption Court. The businessman has been brought to court. When asked by journalists about his expectations, Karapetyan said nothing, merely greeting them and entering the building, News.am reports.

The court hearing will not be broadcast or recorded on video, the publication writes.

Before the first hearing, the lawyers filed a motion with the court asking the judge to consider the issue of Karapetyan's release from house arrest.

"On April 21, 2026, the Strong Armenia party convened a congress, and it is fundamentally important that Samvel Karapetyan have the opportunity to fully participate in the political process before this congress. From the standpoint of competition, equality, and guarantees of the electoral process, this is an obvious necessity," Novosti-Armenia quoted lawyer Aram Vardevanyan as saying.

05:55 02.04.2026

Putin asked Pashinyan to choose a course before the elections

Combining Armenia's course toward rapprochement with the EU and membership in the Eurasian Economic Union is "impossible by definition," Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with Nikol Pashinyan in the Kremlin. He also stated that Moscow would like all pro-Russian political forces to participate in the parliamentary elections in Armenia.

As a reminder, Samvel Karapetyan's Strong Armenia party announced its intention to participate in the National Assembly elections, which will be held on June 7. Analysts believe that 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 banking on Karapetyan, but he cannot participate in the elections under Armenian law, according to Armenian political scientists. The "Caucasian Knot" has prepared a report titled "2026 Elections to the National Assembly (Parliament) of Armenia."