Levon Hayrapetyan case at center of Russian ombudswoman’s attention

The case of prominent businessman and public figure Levon Hayrapetyan who was arrested in Moscow is at the center of the attention Russia’s Commissioner for Human Rights Ella Pamfilova, the Armenian Ombudsman’s representative was informed by the Office of Russia’s Commissioner for Human Rights.

“Russia’s Commissioner for Human Rights made the necessary inquiries in the appropriate bodies to establish the reasons for imprisoning the businessman who has serious health problems.

Noting the importance of efficient cooperation with Armenian Ombudsman Karen Andreasyan, the representative of Russia’s Commissioner for Human Rights gave assurances that work is underway, and more information about the results will be provided,” the Ombudsman Office said in a statement.

On August 8 Armenian Ombudsman Karen Andreasyan asked Russian Commissioner for Human Rights Ella Pamfilova to examine Levon Hayrapetyan’s case. Emphasis was put on the businessman’s health problems and his imprisonment.

Moscow’s Basmanny court on September 12 extended Levon Hayrapetyan’s arrest. The court took that decision despite the defense’s statement that L. Hayrapetyan suffers from several serious diseases and may not survive prison conditions. The defense proposed that he be released on bail of 30 million rubles. It was announced at the court sitting that a second criminal case was opened against Hayrapetyan.

L. Hayrapetyan, 65, was detained on July 15 after his plane from Nice landed at Moscow’s Domodedovo Airport. The businessman suffering from serious health problems is now kept in custody. He denies the charges against him.