Groong Links:
Guest:
Topics:
- Arrest of Samvel Karapetyan
- Pre-trial detention practices
- Lawfare and double standards
- Armenia’s global consequences
Episode 468 | Recorded: September 4, 2025
Show Notes
In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we speak with international human rights lawyer Robert Amsterdam about the arrest and pre-trial detention of Armenian businessman and Church benefactor Samvel Karapetyan. We explore how Armenia’s courts are being used in a campaign of lawfare targeting political opponents and the Armenian Apostolic Church, following growing tensions between Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s government and religious leaders. Amsterdam discusses the legal inconsistencies, the weaponization of pre-trial detention, and how these actions violate international norms. We also examine the broader consequences for Armenia’s legal system, religious freedom, and international reputation.
Main Topics Addressed
- The arrest of Samvel Karapetyan after speaking in defense of the Armenian Apostolic Church
- Use of pre-trial detention in Armenia and how it compares to international legal norms
- Lawfare as a political tool in Armenia’s justice system
- The erosion of church–state separation and constitutional principles
- Reactions from international actors and implications for Armenia’s global standing
Key Questions Discussed
- What are the charges brought against Samvel Karapetyan, and how serious are they under Armenian law?
- How does the use of pre-trial detention in this case compare with other recent political cases, including clergy?
- In what ways does the Karapetyan case reflect the broader trend of lawfare in Armenia?
- What does Armenia’s treatment of religious institutions signal about church–state relations?
- What diplomatic or legal recourse remains if Armenia continues to detain Karapetyan?
- How has the silence of Western governments affected the legal and political dynamics of the case?
Referenced Articles & Sources
- “If politicians fail, we will intervene in our own way” – Samvel Karapetyan (AlphaNews)
- Armenian authorities target businessman Samvel Karapetyan amid church dispute
- Pashinyan calls to nationalize electricity network after arrest of billionaire critic
- Samvel Karapetyan Files $500 Million Compensation Suit Against Armenian Government
- Robert Amsterdam official site
Wrap-up
That’s our show! We hope you found it useful. Please find us on Social Media and follow us everywhere you get your Armenian news.
Thanks to Laura Osborn for the music on our podcasts.
Guests
Robert Amsterdam
Robert Amsterdam is an international lawyer with over 40 years of experience in high-profile disputes across emerging markets. He is founding partner of Amsterdam & Partners LLP, based in London and Washington, D.C., known for innovative work in complex litigation, arbitration, and white-collar defense involving political and policy dimensions.
He has advised governments, corporations, and political leaders worldwide, including former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, former Zambian President Rupiah Banda, Ugandan MP Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine), Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu, Cameroonian politician Maurice Kamto, and others. He has also represented major corporations such as PricewaterhouseCoopers and Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, specializing in “bet the company” cases and political risk.
Amsterdam & Partners has been recognized for its pro bono human rights work, winning the Global Pro Bono Dispute Award from the American Lawyer for its work in Zimbabwe, and representing opposition figures from Singapore to Venezuela. Amsterdam has also defended high-profile political prisoners, including Mikhail Khodorkovsky of Russia’s Yukos Oil and Venezuelan businessman Eligio Cedeño, both of whom were freed.
His commentary has appeared in the New York Times, Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, and Forbes, and he has been featured on CNN, BBC, CNBC, Bloomberg, and Fox News. Amsterdam is a member of the Canadian and International Bar Associations and a solicitor in the United Kingdom. He studied at Carleton University (BA) and Queen’s University in Ontario (LLB).
He currently represents Samvel Karapetyan, a prominent Armenian entrepreneur involved with the Armenian Apostolic Church.
Hosts
Asbed Bedrossian
Asbed Bedrossian is an IT professional with extensive experience in enterprise IT infrastructure, IT security, enterprise applications, data center operations, high performance computing, ITSM, ITPM, and more.
Asbed is founder of the Armenian News Network Groong (ca. 1989/1990) and co-founder of the ANN/Groong podcast in 2020.
Hovik Manucharyan
Hovik Manucharyan is an information security engineer who moved from Seattle to Armenia in 2022. He co-founded the ANN/Groong podcast in 2020 and has been a contributor to Groong News since the late 1990s.
Disclaimer: The views expressed by Hovik Manucharyan on the ANN/Groong podcast are his own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of his employer or any other organization.