ArmInfo. The Special Investigation Service (SSS) of Armenia returned Samvel Mayrapetyan's passport, but did not allow him to leave the country. This is stated in the statement of a group of lawyers defending the interests of Samvel Mayrapetyan.
Thereby, as the authors of the statement emphasize, having excluded one illegal act, committed another. January 8th of this year SIS, finally, notified the lawyer Karen Batikyan in writing about the return of Samvel Mayrapetyan's passport, despite the fact that prior to the New Year holidays the SIS investigator orally refused to return the passport. Obviously, this step of the SSS is the result of the presentation of questions by the European Court of Human Rights to the Government of Armenia.
It is curious that, returning the passport, the SIS has warned that any attempt to leave Armenia will be considered as an attempt to escape from the investigation. "Considering that the ECHR is dealing with Mairapetyan's question, there is hope for a fair resolution of his case, and Mairapetyan will receive the opportunity to be treated at a clinic in Germany," the lawyers said in a statement.Recall that on December 27, the court of general jurisdiction of Yerevan granted the request of Mairapetyan's lawyers, and the entrepreneur was released on bail of 30 million drams. On October 9, Mairapetyan was charged on the grounds of Article 38-311 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia (assistance in receiving a bribe). Earlier, the Prosecutor General's Office refused to apply for a change in the measure of restraint in respect of Samvel Mayrapetyan under personal guarantee.
Entrepreneur Samvel Mayrapetyan is considered a person close to former President of Armenia Robert Kocharian. He is engaged in the construction of luxury real estate, is the president of the company "Toyota Yerevan", he owns the broadcasting company H2.