Strong Armenia Party Holds Rally Following Leader's Detention

Thousands of supporters gathered in Yerevan for a Strong Armenia Party rally, following the June 2025 detention of party leader Samvel Karapetyan. Karapetyan, a businessman holding Russian and Cypriot citizenship, was arrested on charges of calling for a coup after publicly criticizing the Armenian government's handling of issues involving the Armenian Apostolic Church.

The rally demonstrates continued support for the party despite the legal proceedings against its leader. Karapetyan's detention marked an escalation in tensions between the party and the government over church-state relations and broader governance questions. The gathering reflects ongoing political divisions within Armenia regarding the government's direction and its approach to the influential religious institution.