MCC refuses to release Levon Airapetyan from custody

The Moscow City Court (MCC) has refused to release from custody businessman Levon Airapetyan, one of the richest members of the Armenian Diaspora, who is accused in the Russian Federation of embezzlement of funds and money laundering.

In trial, an investigator has stated that they have got documents confirming the involvement of the businessman in embezzlement of funds and money laundering.

According to the investigator, Levon Airapetyan has significant funds, connections and real estate property abroad and he can therefore use all the above to escape, put pressure on other persons involved in the case and otherwise obstruct the course of the investigation, the ITAR-TASS reports.

Advocate Genry Reznik has stated that the defendant is already 65 years old and that, besides, he suffers from a number of diseases. According to the defence, the health state of the businessman has deteriorated significantly.

However, the arguments of the advocates were ignored, and the MCC left the businessman in custody until September 15.

It should be noted that the arrest of Levon Airapetyan has caused a great resonance in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, where local residents have organized collection of signatures on a petition for his release. The Parliament and the Government of Nagorno-Karabakh have spoken in support of the businessman.