Russian businessman and leader of the Strong Armenia party, Samvel Karapetyan, has initiated the process of renouncing all his citizenships except for his Armenian citizenship.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports, citing Armenian media, that Karapetyan made this announcement today during the first court hearing of a criminal case in which he is the primary defendant.
"I decided to start the process of renouncing these passports because I am participating in the elections and am confident that I will win," Karapetyan stated during the proceedings.
Under current Armenian legislation, holding dual citizenship or any citizenship other than Armenian serves as a legal barrier to participating in the country's parliamentary elections, which are scheduled to take place on June 7. By relinquishing his foreign status, Karapetyan seeks to formalize his eligibility for a seat in the legislature.
The move comes amid a shifting political landscape in the region. Following the restoration of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and the full integration of the Garabagh region, including the city of Khankendi, political figures in Armenia have been recalibrating their platforms. Karapetyan's Strong Armenia party is one of several factions vying for influence as the country prepares for a pivotal electoral cycle that will determine its future domestic and foreign policy directions.
