MOSCOW—Armenian businessman and philanthropist Levon Hayrapetian became severely ill during his hearing at a Moscow court on Wednesday, which was considering an appeal regarding his arrest, RIA Novosti reports. The hearing was adjourned as Hayrapetian could not continue.
Hayrapetian spoke at the hearing. But shortly after, he complained of feeling unwell. His lawyers requested for immediate medical attention to be administered to Hayrapetian. The hearing was adjourned until Aug. 15.
Hayrapetian, 65, was arrested by Russian Federal Security Service officials on July 15. A Moscow court allowed the businessman’s two-month imprisonment while investigators conduct a probe into his alleged criminal connections and involvement in some illegal financial dealings. He was officially charged on July 24 with money laundering and embezzlement and his shares in the Russian oil company Bashneft, said to be worth $8.5 million were frozen.
Hayrapetian is considered to be one of the wealthiest Armenians in the world. He is known to have invested millions of dollars into developing Nagorno-Karabakh’s infrastructure and renovating the area’s historical-cultural monuments. His charity included a mass wedding for hundreds of Karabakh couples in 2008 and sponsorship of the construction of a military college in Martakert.
Let’s see if Putin will help this great Armenian from going to jail, this is the least he can do to gain some Armenian’s respect and if he would clear Armenia from the illeterate, big belly oligarchs then he will gain the respect of all Armenians.
I pray to God to give Levon Hayrapetian his health and freedom back so he can continue his philanthropic work for the much suffered Artsakh Armenians.
Putin should act before it is too late, Hayrapetian’s health can’t wait