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RUSSIAN-ARMENIAN BUSINESSMAN'S ARREST AROUSES CONCERN: OPINIONS
21:49 * 17.07.14
In an interview with Tert.am, public and political figure Ashot
Manucharyan has commented on the arrest of Russian-Armenian businessman
Levon Hayrapetyan in Moscow.
"And now we have to understand who is sending a message to whom. This
is one of the symbolic events showing us the situation we are in. It
also shows those holding government posts that the deadline for them
has expired," Manucharyan said.
According to Armenian media three reasons could account for Levon
Hayrapetyan's arrests. First, Azerbaijan's leadership is behind the
arrest. Second, it is Russian authorities' response to Armenia's
authorities for putting ex-director of the ArmenTel company Igor
Klimov on the "wanted" list. Third, Levon Hayrapetyan has given
numerous interviews of opposition nature abroad and has problems with
Armenia's authorities.
Manucharyan rejects the first speculation.
"Levon Hayrapetyan has deep personal ties with Azerbaijani President
Ilham Aliyev and has such ties with his father Heydar Aliyev. I do
not even think of a possibility of Ilham Aliyev masterminding such
a thing."
Political scientist Styopa Safaryan believes that Russia's decision
to arrest such an influential figure suggests certain motives.
"Before being arrested Levon Hayrapetyan was in Artsakh
[Nagorno-Karabakh], which is a ground for concern. I think the decision
is the consequence of his aid to Nagorno-Karabakh," Safaryan said.
According to him, Russia does not like something.
"It may have something in common with the problem of deployment of
Russian troops in Nagorno-Karabakh. It may have something in common
with the formation of closer Russian-Azerbaijani relations. A political
motive is obvious," Safaryan said.
Crossbencher in the Nagorno-Karabakh Parliament Vardges Baghryan
noted that Levon Hayrapetyan has great influence on Nagorno-Karabakh's
economic development and social life.
"Considering the latest developments, political implications are
possible. Levon Hayrapetyan developed his business on fair basis, and
it is surprising to hear that he is reportedly involved in [criminal
activities]. We know he has businesses in Russia, Europe and in the
United States and we have never heard for many years that he has been
involved in any frauds."
"He has always voiced his opinion, and both Armenian and
Nagorno-Karabakh authorities maintain good relations with him. And it
cannot be otherwise because he invested a huge part of his property
in his homeland. It is clear to me that he cannot have any problems
with Armenian or Nagorno-Karabakh authorities in the context of the
latest developments."
Asked whether this is Russia's attempt to "show Armenia its place"
or render services to Azerbaijan Baghryan said, "It may be both. I
see political motives."
Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) parliamentary group member Karine
Achemyan hopes that the investigation will find out all the charges
are baseless.
"Levon Hayrapetyan is known in Russia and is famous for his
philanthropy in Nagorno-Karabakh."
However, the arrest of Levon Hayrapetyan, who has always focused his
attention on the problems of Armenian Genocide and Nagorno-Karabakh,
could have unfavorable consequences for the conduct of Armenia and
Nagorno-Karabakh.
http://www.tert.am/en/news/2014/07/17/levon-hayrapetyan-arrest-comment/
21:49 * 17.07.14
In an interview with Tert.am, public and political figure Ashot
Manucharyan has commented on the arrest of Russian-Armenian businessman
Levon Hayrapetyan in Moscow.
"And now we have to understand who is sending a message to whom. This
is one of the symbolic events showing us the situation we are in. It
also shows those holding government posts that the deadline for them
has expired," Manucharyan said.
According to Armenian media three reasons could account for Levon
Hayrapetyan's arrests. First, Azerbaijan's leadership is behind the
arrest. Second, it is Russian authorities' response to Armenia's
authorities for putting ex-director of the ArmenTel company Igor
Klimov on the "wanted" list. Third, Levon Hayrapetyan has given
numerous interviews of opposition nature abroad and has problems with
Armenia's authorities.
Manucharyan rejects the first speculation.
"Levon Hayrapetyan has deep personal ties with Azerbaijani President
Ilham Aliyev and has such ties with his father Heydar Aliyev. I do
not even think of a possibility of Ilham Aliyev masterminding such
a thing."
Political scientist Styopa Safaryan believes that Russia's decision
to arrest such an influential figure suggests certain motives.
"Before being arrested Levon Hayrapetyan was in Artsakh
[Nagorno-Karabakh], which is a ground for concern. I think the decision
is the consequence of his aid to Nagorno-Karabakh," Safaryan said.
According to him, Russia does not like something.
"It may have something in common with the problem of deployment of
Russian troops in Nagorno-Karabakh. It may have something in common
with the formation of closer Russian-Azerbaijani relations. A political
motive is obvious," Safaryan said.
Crossbencher in the Nagorno-Karabakh Parliament Vardges Baghryan
noted that Levon Hayrapetyan has great influence on Nagorno-Karabakh's
economic development and social life.
"Considering the latest developments, political implications are
possible. Levon Hayrapetyan developed his business on fair basis, and
it is surprising to hear that he is reportedly involved in [criminal
activities]. We know he has businesses in Russia, Europe and in the
United States and we have never heard for many years that he has been
involved in any frauds."
"He has always voiced his opinion, and both Armenian and
Nagorno-Karabakh authorities maintain good relations with him. And it
cannot be otherwise because he invested a huge part of his property
in his homeland. It is clear to me that he cannot have any problems
with Armenian or Nagorno-Karabakh authorities in the context of the
latest developments."
Asked whether this is Russia's attempt to "show Armenia its place"
or render services to Azerbaijan Baghryan said, "It may be both. I
see political motives."
Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) parliamentary group member Karine
Achemyan hopes that the investigation will find out all the charges
are baseless.
"Levon Hayrapetyan is known in Russia and is famous for his
philanthropy in Nagorno-Karabakh."
However, the arrest of Levon Hayrapetyan, who has always focused his
attention on the problems of Armenian Genocide and Nagorno-Karabakh,
could have unfavorable consequences for the conduct of Armenia and
Nagorno-Karabakh.
http://www.tert.am/en/news/2014/07/17/levon-hayrapetyan-arrest-comment/