05:38, 25 July 2014

Levon Airapetyan in Moscow is accused of embezzlement and money laundering

Levon Airapetyan in the village of Vank, Mardakert Region of Nagorno-Karabakh, at the site of the construction of military school, 2012. Photo by Albert Voskanyan, http://www.kavkaz-uzel.ru/blogs/929/posts/13275

On July 24 in Moscow, investigators presented charges to Levon Airapetyan, one of the richest members of the Armenian Diaspora in Russia. The charges were brought under Articles 160 (embezzlement or misappropriation) and 174 (legalization of funds obtained illegally) of the Russian Criminal Code. The defence denies the charges, said Samvel Karakhanyan, one of the advocates.

"We believe that the charges are unjustified and are confident of Levon Airapetyan's innocence," the RBC Daily quotes the advocate as saying.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Airapetyan was detained by FSB agents on July 15 at the Domodedovo Airport. On July 17, the Moscow Basmanny Court ruled to put him into custody. According to investigators, he was involved in the illegal sale in April 2009 of the "Bashneft" Company, when it was moved out of the state control. On July 21, his defence appealed against the arrest to the Moscow City Court.

Let us remind you that Levon Airapetyan is the largest investor in the modern history of Nagorno-Karabakh. In particular, thanks to his investments they renovated the Gandzasar Monastery, which is considered today as one of the most comfortable shrines of Nagorno-Karabakh.