Tucker Carlson Condemns Arrests of Armenian Clergy, Calls It a “Grotesque Human Rights Violation” in Interview With Narek Karapetyan & Bob Amsterdam

American journalist Tucker Carlson sharply criticized the Armenian government’s treatment of the Armenian Apostolic Church during a new interview with Narek Karapetyan, the nephew of jailed billionaire philanthropist Samvel Karapetyan. Carlson called the arrests of clergy and critics in Armenia “a grotesque human rights violation” and warned that attempts to rewrite history often go hand in hand with political repression.

The interview, which also features international attorney Robert “Bob” Amsterdam, centers on the growing tension between the Pashinyan government and the country’s centuries-old church. Carlson said efforts to silence religious leaders or reshape historical narratives should concern anyone who values religious freedom.

“Anyone who’s forcing you to lie about history is your enemy,” Carlson said. “Whoever controls the story of the past controls the future.” He argued that the detention of clergy for their theological opinions or historical views represents a dangerous shift for Armenia, a nation whose identity is deeply tied to its Christian heritage.

Narek Karapetyan said the arrests have shocked Armenian society, but he insisted that the church and those defending it have not been left alone. “We are getting support from the West, from churches,” he said. “There is huge support and we appreciate this.”

Karapetyan described his uncle as someone who is willing to sacrifice personal comfort and business interests to defend the church, even knowing the risks. “He could be released tomorrow if he said he would not defend the Church,” he said. “But he continues to stand with the church, even though they want to confiscate his businesses. He could be free, but he chooses faith.”

He compared his uncle’s situation to moments in Armenian history when earlier generations faced persecution for refusing to abandon Christianity. “Our ancestors were sacrificed for their religion,” Karapetyan said. “This is the same spirit.”

Carlson called the story “inspiring” and “upsetting,” adding that too few Americans understand what is happening inside Armenia. “It’s not just about Armenia,” he said. “It’s a global push against this one specific religion — against Jesus.”

When Amsterdam joined the conversation, Carlson asked how such pressure on the Armenian Church could be happening with so little international attention. Amsterdam argued that geopolitical priorities often overshadow religious freedom concerns and said Western governments and faith leaders have not fully grasped the seriousness of the situation.

Clarifying the Rumors Around the Interview

The Armenian Report confirmed with a source familiar with the production that no payment was made to secure Narek Karapetyan’s appearance — contradicting widely circulated claims that Tucker Carlson received $400,000 for the interview. The source also said reports of a $1 million lobbying effort remain unverified, though such outreach is common in high-profile international cases.

Amsterdam agreed to join the segment early on, consistent with Carlson’s long-standing interest in stories involving Christian persecution and politically motivated prosecutions.

Continued Detention

Samvel Karapetyan, one of Armenia’s most influential philanthropists, has been in custody for five months. His family says the arrest came hours after he briefly criticized the government’s treatment of the church in a 37-second interview. Armenian officials have not publicly addressed the allegations raised in the broadcast.

The interview is expected to draw further international attention to his case. Amsterdam warned that the arrests of clergy and the detention of a prominent businessman mark “a worrying escalation” in Armenia’s internal crisis.

Carlson ended the segment with a clear message: “If clergy are being thrown in prison for defending history and defending their faith, that demands the world’s attention.”

—

Support independent reporting from the region by subscribing to The Armenian Report. Our team is funded solely by readers like you.