Garekin II visits Samvel Karapetyan, who is under house arrest

ArmInfo. "On May 10, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II visited national benefactor Samvel Karapetyan, who is illegally under house arrest,"  according to a statement from the press office of the Mother See of  Etchmiadzin.

"His Holiness bestowed upon the great Armenian the blessing of Holy  Etchmiadzin and wished him all the best in overcoming the current  difficulties and trials with fortitude and faith. The Catholicos of  All Armenians expressed confidence that, despite these difficulties,  Samvel Karapetyan, with his characteristic spirit of hope,  patriotism, and love for the Church, will continue to make  significant contributions to the nation, for the sake of the homeland  and the light of life for Armenians worldwide," the statement reads.

As a reminder, Armenian authorities initiated a criminal case against  Samvel Karapetyan last June after he publicly expressed support for  the Armenian Apostolic Church amid Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's  anti-church campaign. The arrest and the Armenian authorities'  attempt to seize the Electric Networks of Armenia company from  Karapetyan prompted the philanthropist and businessman to enter  politics. He founded the "Strong Armenia" party, with which he is  running in the upcoming June parliamentary elections.