MOSCOW—Renowned French-Armenian singer and Armenia’s ambassador to Switzerland Charles Aznavour has expressed concern over the arrest of Armenian businessman and philanthropist Levon Hayrapetian in 
Moscow. According to Artsakh Today, Aznavour has called on Russian authorities to change the terms of Hayrapetian’s detention, taking into consideration his health condition.
A committee of medical experts is looking into the possibility of allowing the Armenian businessman, who was arrested in Moscow last week, to be confined to house arrest pending investigation or trial.
Charles Aznavour, who has met with Levon Hayrapetian on many occasions, has always appreciated his activities aimed at the development of Armenia and Artsakh.
Hayrapetian, 65, was arrested by Russian Federal Security Service officials on July 15. Last Thursday, 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. Official charges against Hayrapetian are expected to be brought on July 24.
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 700 Karabakh couples in 2008 and sponsorship of the construction of a military college in Martakert.