Armenia’s wealthiest man is in jail — his family claim it’s a political witch hunt

Armenia’s wealthiest man is in jail, but his family claim the charges are trumped up and he’s the victim of a political witch hunt.

Samvel Karapetyan, worth $4.4 billion, has been in jail for almost three months after being accused of criticizing the country’s Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan. 

The furor started with Pashinyan, who was accused of targeting the country’s prized Apostolic Christian Church in a statement June 8, calling for its head bishop to stand down, accusing him of fathering a child while under a vow of celibacy.

Activists gather outside as the Anti-Corruption Court prepares for a hearing into a criminal case against entrepreneur Samvel Karapetyan. ZUMAPRESS.com

In response, Karapetyan, 60, said in June: “I have always stood with the Armenian Church and

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