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Armenians protest detention of Russian businessman (VIDEOS)

Armenians protest detention of Russian businessman (VIDEOS)

Russia Today22-06-2025

Thousands of people have joined a march in support of detained Russian-Armenian businessman Samvel Karapetyan and the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC) in the city of Vagharshapat, home to the country's most important Orthodox site, the Etchmiadzin Cathedral.
In recent weeks, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan repeatedly have attacked the church, accusing it of corruption and other violations.
He also urged the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Catholicos Garegin II, to step down over what he called a breach of his vow of celibacy. The church has firmly rejected the allegations, suggesting that Pashinyan himself has been acting on behalf of 'Armenophobic' foreign forces.

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