Armenia’s Pashinyan Taunts Detained Rival in Yerevan

Broadcasting from Yerevan, Armenia, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan delivered a scathing video message targeting detained billionaire rival Samvel Karapetyan. Addressing the Russian-Armenian oligarch and Strong Armenia Party leader, Pashinyan mocked warnings from Karapetyan’s camp: “Samvel from Kaluga tells me not to be afraid through his spokesmen. I am afraid, how can I not be afraid! I fear that by the end of the year, you will go from a billionaire to a homeless person.” The wealthy Tashir Group owner remains under strict house arrest following his initial detention in June 2025 on charges of attempting to overthrow the Armenian government