Pashinyan oversteps boundaries of abusing power, says Zatulin

Samvel Karapetyan is among the most prominent representatives of the Armenian business community and the diaspora in Russia, Konstantin Zatulin, Chairman of the Committee of the State Duma for the CIS and Relations with Russian Nationals Abroad, told Rusarminfo, commenting on the arrest of businessman Samvel Karapetyan.

“I cannot imagine what he could have done that would make the Armenian leadership decide to infringe upon his freedom,” Zatulin said, adding that this is nothing but an attempt to blackmail the Armenian diaspora in Russia or even Russian authorities.

The official also stated that Pashinyan has overstepped the boundaries of abusing power, which is also evidenced by his desire to interfere in the affairs of the Armenian Apostolic Church. “Pashinyan has previously stood out for his anti-Christian, anti-church statements,” Zatulin said, noting that it is during Pashinyan’s tenure that Armenia has suffered the most damage during its independence period.