Russia cancels search for Armenia ex-Minister Mikael Harutyunyan

Armenian ex-defense minister declared on the CIS interstate wanted list that Lieutenant General Mikael Harutyunyan is removed from the wanted list in Russia, Interfax reported referring to an informed source.

According to the source after studying the materials regarding Harutyunyan, accused in the case of the events of March 1, 2008 in Yerevan, a decision was made to cancel his search on the Russian territory.

The request for the arrest and extradition of the ex-defense minister reportedly came to Moscow some time ago not from the Armenia Prosecutor General, but through the interstate search. The arrest warrant even indicated the home address of the accused in the Russian capital.

Earlier, another Interfax source said that Harutyunyan’s extradition would be refused, since 2002 he has had a Russian passport.

Former Armenian Defense Minister Lieutenant General Harutyunyan is accused of violating the Constitution and attempting to overthrow the constitutional order.