The head of the Russian group of companies "Tashir", the leader of the "Strong Armenia" party, the Russian-Armenian billionaire Sambal Karpatyan was arrested in Yerevan, a criminal case was opened against him and 35 other people on the charge of causing especially great material damage to the company "Electricity Networks of Armenia" (ESA), embezzlement of property and securing funds. As Armenpress Agency reports, the Investigative Committee of Armenia stated this.
According to the investigation committee, the total damage caused by the ENA exceeds 64.5 billion drams (about 180 million dollars). As part of the case, law enforcement officers simultaneously conducted searches on November 4 in 65 apartments and company addresses.
In June 2025, the businessman was arrested in Yerevan on charges of public calls to seize power. The press service of Kraftian's office said that these accusations are a "clear attempt to put pressure" on the businessman; "They have no legal or factual basis." In July of that year, the developer was also accused of money laundering. In January 2026, Kraftian was placed under house arrest.