Defense lawyers appeal against Armenian magnate’s arrestJuly 21, 2014 - 15:12 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Defense lawyers for Levon Hayrapetyan, the Russian-Armenian businessman-philanthropist arrested in Moscow last week, have appealed against the law enforcement authorities' decision to keep their client behind bars, Tert.am reported. “We appeal to the Moscow City Court to replace the ruling, because it is illegal and groundless,” lawyer Ruben Margaryan told the Russian news agency ITAR-TASS. Official charges are due this Thursday, July 24. The 65-year-old businessman was detained over alleged links with a criminal group. Russian law enforcers also imposed a lien on his shares of $900,000 in the oil company Bashneft. Hayrapetyan refuses to plead guilty in money laundering case in which he is allegedly involved. A testimony by Igor Izmestev, a former senator now serving a life sentence, is said to have led to Hayrapetyan’s arrest. Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | European Parliament to discuss repression in Azerbaijan The European Parliament will discuss repression of civil society in Azerbaijan on April 24 PACE wants concessions from Azerbaijan to accept Baku back A PACE co-rapporteur said that Azerbaijani authorities must make certain concessions so that the country can return to PACE. Armenia PM, France envoy discuss regional matters Issues related to the consistent development of Armenia-France cooperation were discussed. Azerbaijan razes historic Armenian church to ground Azerbaijan has demolished the historic Armenian Church of St. John the Baptist (known as Kanach Zham). |