Armenia opposition leader Narek Karapetyan stripped of immunity

Narek Karapetyan

Armenia’s electoral authority has stripped opposition politician Narek Karapetyan of his legal immunity, paving the way for prosecutors to open a criminal investigation against him.

The Central Election Commission (CEC) approved a motion from the Prosecutor General’s Office to initiate proceedings against Karapetyan, who led campaigning for the Strong Armenia Alliance during recent parliamentary elections.

However, the commission rejected a second motion seeking permission to detain him.

CEC Chair Vahagn Hovakimyan announced the decision during a press briefing on Tuesday, on the same day the electoral body formally allocated parliamentary seats following the 7 June vote.

Karapetyan remains an MP-elect and is scheduled to take his seat when the new parliament opens on 2 August. Until he formally assumes his mandate, criminal proceedings require the commission’s consent.

Responding to the decision, Strong Armenia spokesperson Marianna Ghahramayan accused the election body of committing "yet another illegal act".

"They are trying to isolate Narek Karapetyan. Strong Armenia is not one to break," Ghahramayan said.

The Prosecutor General’s Office declined to disclose specific details regarding the case, citing the interests of the ongoing investigation.

However, Karapetyan’s lawyer, Aram Vardevanyan, suggested the move is linked to a separate money laundering and vote-buying case involving senior alliance member Alik Aleksanyan.

Karapetyan was previously placed under investigation in May over allegations that he failed to disclose foreign citizenship when registering as a candidate. He was also subjected to an unexplained travel ban shortly after the election.

The Strong Armenia Alliance was fronted by Karapetyan on behalf of his uncle, business tycoon Samvel Karapetyan, who was barred from running due to his dual citizenship. The elder Karapetyan is currently under house arrest on charges of money laundering and calling for the usurpation of power.

The ruling against Karapetyan is the latest in a series of legal actions targeting prominent Armenian opposition figures since the June election.

Former President Robert Kocharyan and Prosperous Armenia leader Gagik Tsarukyan have both reported being prevented from leaving the country.

Tsarukyan was arrested earlier this month on money laundering charges after his party narrowly missed the threshold to enter parliament. Armenian courts have since placed his Ararat Cement plant under state management as prosecutors seek the confiscation of his assets.