Armenia: activists call on citizens to join march on August 7 in support of Levon Airapetyan

In Yerevan, activists of the office "In support of Levon Airapetyan" call on citizens to attend on August 7 a march in support of one of the richest members of the Armenian Diaspora in Russia, who was arrested as a figurant of the "Bashneft" case. It is expected to start marching from the monument to Alexander Tamanyan towards the residence of the Armenian President. "Then, the marchers will go to the office of the Ombudsman, and to the Russian Embassy in Armenia and the building of the government," the activists' office has explained.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on July 15, Levon Airapetyan, a 65-year-old Armenian philanthropist, was detained at the Moscow "Domodedovo" Airport on suspicion of embezzlement and money laundering. On July 17, the Moscow court took the businessman into custody and arrested the "Bashneft" stake.

In Armenia, in connection with his arrest, activists have set up the above office "In Support of Levon Airapetyan". According to the office's report, Levon Airapetyan was diagnosed a number of diseases: the businessman suffered an apoplectic attack and infarction. The activists have also reported that, apart from problems with his blood tension, Levon Airapetyan suffers from some oncology problems and acute diabetes.

On July 28, the businessman was supported by Major-General Arkady Ter-Tadevosyan, an Armenian military leader and a close friend of Levon Airapetyan. He also noted that Levon's health condition excludes keeping him in custody.

"The Russian court should take his health condition into account. Should they continue ignoring the fact, Russia may face another 'Magnitsky case'," said Arkady Ter-Tadevosyan.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian-language website of the ‘Caucasian Knot’.