Nagorno-Karabakh: over 1000 sign for Airapetyan's freedom

Residents of the village of Vank in Nagorno-Karabakh have collected 1005 signatures to the petition demanding an immediate release from custody in Moscow of Levon Airapetyan, one of the most influential and wealthy members of the Armenian Diaspora in Russia.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Levon Airapetyan was detained on July 15 in Moscow by FSB agents on suspicion of embezzling and laundering of the money that has criminal origin. Investigators believe that Airapetyan was involved in the sale in April 2009 of the "Bashneft" by Ural Rakhimov, when the company was illegally withdrawn out of state control. On July 17, the Moscow Basmanny Court ruled to arrest Airapetyan until September 15.

Vladimir Airapetyan, Levon's brother, has treated the arrest as a political order. "My successful brother didn't suffered from the mania of wealth accumulation; and he spent all the available funds exclusively for the development of our homeland, which was disliked by many, who couldn't benefit from it," the "First Armenian Information Channel" quotes Vladimir as saying.

Let us remind you that Levon Airapetyan is the greatest investor in the modern history of Nagorno-Karabakh. Thanks to his efforts, the Gandzasar Monastery was renovated in 2000-2002 and is considered now one of the best shrines of Karabakh.