Robert Kocharyan's Statement on Samvel Karapetyan

The second president of Armenia, Robert Kocharyan, made a posting on his Facebook page: "What happened with Samvel Karapetyan was yet another disgraceful action of the pocket judicial system. It is a national disgrace when a major investor and philanthropist, whose contributions are evident both in the diaspora and in Armenia, is thrown into prison without any basis for defending the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church.

The only way out of this disgraceful situation is a change of power; otherwise, we will swiftly descend into total dictatorship with unpredictable consequences for our statehood. I wish strength to Samvel Karapetyan. I am confident that the time is approaching to put an end to all anti-national and illegal actions,” wrote the president.