The investigation has charged Karapetyan, who was detained in Armenia, with money laundering.

The investigation has charged Samvel Karapetyan, a businessman and philanthropist arrested in Armenia, with money laundering. This was announced on July 16 by the Council for the protection of entrepreneurs.

"Recently, without any grounds, Samvel Karapetyan was charged with 'money laundering as a result of the activities of several companies,'" the council said in a statement on its Facebook page (part of Meta, an organization recognized as extremist and banned in the Russian Federation).

The Council for the protection of the businessman called this accusation political persecution. It is also noted that it was brought in the absence of direct or indirect participation, concealment or distortion of the alleged funds — the crime event itself was not detected.

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Karapetyan's detention became known on June 18. He was charged with calling for the seizure of power in Armenia, after which he was arrested for two months.

On July 14, the entrepreneur announced the creation of a new political force in Armenia. He also pointed to his own vision of the country's future.