The arrest was made at the request of Yerevan, which had previously placed the former official on the international wanted list.
Former Armenian Defense Minister Arshak Karapetyan was detained in central Moscow on December 29 at the request of Armenia. Previously, he was placed on the international wanted list. The former minister was released from the police on his own recognizance. It was reported by Radio Liberty.
In Armenia, he was accused of criminal charges of illegal participation in business activities, abuse of authority and power.
From 2018 to 2021, Karapetyan was an advisor to the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan. After that, he served as Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the country’s armed forces, and in July 2021 he was appointed to the post of Minister of Defense. In November of the same year, Karapetyan was removed from his position.
The reason for this was an armed clash between Armenian and Azerbaijani troops on the border of the two countries. Armenian authorities then announced an attempted invasion. Azerbaijan claimed that there was a provocation on the Armenian side. Prime Minister Pashinyan explained the reasons for his dismissal by saying that Karapetyan was not in control of the situation.
After his resignation, Karapetyan led the opposition movement All-Armenian Front.
Let’s recall that in February 2024, Armenia suspended its participation in the CSTO. Nikol Pashinyan said that Yerevan can no longer rely on Russia as its main defense and military partner.
In September, Pashinyan confirmed that Armenia may withdraw from the CSTO.
Source: korrespondent
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