News - Samvel Karapetyan is becoming an influential figure in Russian real estate.

Samvel Karapetyan, the founder and president of the Tashir Group, ranks second in the 'Real Estate Kings of Russia — 2026' list published by Forbes.ru. The group's rental income is estimated at $700 million, and its portfolio includes retail space, office premises, warehouses, and hotels with 892 rooms. Among the group's largest properties are the Rio shopping and entertainment center and the Novotel Moscow City hotel. In December 2025, the technical opening of the Avenue Sever shopping center, with an area of 135,000 square meters, took place at the Seligerskaya metro station in Moscow. Established in 1999 and headquartered in Moscow, the Tashir Group operates in commercial real estate, residential construction, energy, banking, and medical technology sectors. By the end of 2025, the holding's total revenue increased by 7% to 278 billion rubles. Samvel Karapetyan, known as a philanthropist, faces accusations of tax crimes in Armenia and is under house arrest. Amid criticism of the authorities towards the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Karapetyan founded the political party 'Strong Armenia,' which intends to participate in the parliamentary elections.