Amsterdam & Partners LLP Welcomes Decision to Transfer Samvel Karapetyan to House Arrest; Warns that Assault on Religious Freedom in Armenia Continues

London, December 31, 2025 – Amsterdam & Partners LLP, acting as international counsel to Armenian businessman, philanthropist, and benefactor to the Armenian Apostolic Church, Samvel Karapetyan, welcomes the decision to replace Mr. Karapetyan’s detention with house arrest, allowing him to spend the holiday period with his family. This represents a meaningful step forward in the ongoing legal process.

This decision follows months of sustained legal efforts and heightened concern expressed by Armenian and international observers regarding Mr. Karapetyan’s case. However, it should be emphasised that Mr. Karapetyan remains under arrest and subject to severe restrictions, with the underlying charges remaining in place.

The current development represents only one episode in a much broader and deeply troubling campaign by the Armenian authorities — a campaign that extends well beyond Mr. Karapetyan personally and reaches the very heart of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Robert Amsterdam, founder and Managing Partner of Amsterdam & Partners LLP, stated: “What is unfolding is not merely a legal case, but a direct assault by Prime Minister Pashinyan’s administration on Christ and on religious freedom itself. The Armenian Apostolic Church must remain free from political pressure and state interference. The absurd and fabricated charges against Mr. Karapetyan must be dropped in their entirety. All Christian detainees must be returned home without delay. Armenia must be allowed to return to its historic path — defined by faith, dignity, sovereignty, and the rule of law.”

Amsterdam & Partners LLP, which has been privileged to join a superb Armenian defence team, will continue to pursue all avenues to ensure that justice is fully restored.

Amsterdam & Partners LLP is an international law firm based in London and Washington, DC, specialising in political advocacy and human rights. For more information about the case, please visit www.freekarapetyan.com, and for information about the firm, see www.amsterdamandpartners.com. Media enquiries may be directed to contact@amsterdamandpartners.com.