Armenian MP Karapetyan released on bail, travel ban imposed

Armenian lawmaker Narek Karapetyan, the nephew of Russian billionaire Samvel Karapetyan, has been placed under a travel ban and released on bail set at 1 billion drams (about $2 million).

The measures were imposed after Armenia's Central Election Commission (CEC) considered a request from the Prosecutor General's Office to lift Karapetyan's parliamentary immunity and authorise public criminal prosecution against him, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

Following the CEC's approval, prosecutors formally initiated public criminal proceedings.

The commission, however, declined to consider a separate request seeking authorisation for Karapetyan's detention.

CEC Chairman Vahagn Hovakimyan later said the request had been returned because it fell outside the commission's authority.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov