Amsterdam & Partners LLC, acting as the international defender of Samvel Karapetyan, an Armenian businessman, philanthropist and devotee of the Armenian Apostolic Church, welcomes the decision to replace Mr. Karapetyan's prison sentence with house arrest, which will enable him to spend the holidays with his family.
International lawyer Robert Amsterdam announced this. "This is a significant step in the ongoing legal process. This decision follows months of consistent legal efforts and serious concerns expressed by both Armenian and international observers regarding Mr. Karapetyan's case.
However, it should be emphasized that Mr. Karapetyan remains in custody and under strict restrictions, and the main charges remain in place. The current development is only one episode in a much broader and deeply disturbing campaign by the Armenian authorities, which goes beyond Mr. Karapetyan's personal case and targets the Armenian Apostolic Church as a whole," the statement said.
Robert Amsterdam, founding and managing partner of Amsterdam & Partners LLP also stated: "What is happening is not just a legal process, but also a direct attack by Prime Minister Pashinyan's administration against Christ and religious freedom itself. The Armenian Apostolic Church must refrain from political pressure and state interference.
The absurd and fabricated charges against Mr. Karapetyan must be completely dropped. All Christian detainees must return home immediately. Armenia must be allowed to return to its historical path anchored in faith, dignity, sovereignty and the rule of law."
Amsterdam & Partners LLC, which had the honor to join the excellent defense team in Armenia, will continue to make every effort to achieve full restoration of justice."
