EBRD says detention of Saribek Sukiasian damages Armenia’s business image
17.02.2010,
18:05
Valeriu Razlog, head of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Yerevan Offcie, said Tuesday the bank was concerned over the detention of SIL Concern holding company co-owner Saribek Sukiasian.
YEREVAN, February 17, /ARKA/. Valeriu Razlog, head of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Yerevan Offcie, said Tuesday the bank was concerned over the detention of SIL Concern holding company co-owner Saribek Sukiasian.
Saribek Sukiasian was detained along with one of his business partners last Friday on suspicion of illegally possessing a gun and threatening to kill a fellow businessman. He is the younger brother of Khachatur Sukiasian, a former parliament member who surrendered to the police in September and was set free three days later despite remaining charged with organizing the March 2008 `mass riots' in Yerevan.
‘We are glad that Saribek Sukiasian was released on Monday, but that can not help improve Armenia’s business image,’ Valeriu Razlog said during a news conference.
Saribek Sukiasian’s lawyers said he and Ayrarat market director Artash Stepanian were released after the expiration of a 72-hour period during which suspects can be kept in custody without a charge
being formally brought against them. But Sukiasian and Stepanian signed a written pledge not to leave the city while police were investigating the claim filed by a businessman who alleged to have been forced, by Sukiasian and Stepanian, to sign some business-related documents under `a real threat of murder'.
Franklin Steves, an EBRD consultant on political issues, said it is important that any inquiry and punishment be unbiased, transparent and accountable.
The Sukiasians family owns 53.4% in Armeconombank, EBRD owns 25% plus one share. -0-
Saribek Sukiasian was detained along with one of his business partners last Friday on suspicion of illegally possessing a gun and threatening to kill a fellow businessman. He is the younger brother of Khachatur Sukiasian, a former parliament member who surrendered to the police in September and was set free three days later despite remaining charged with organizing the March 2008 `mass riots' in Yerevan.
‘We are glad that Saribek Sukiasian was released on Monday, but that can not help improve Armenia’s business image,’ Valeriu Razlog said during a news conference.
Saribek Sukiasian’s lawyers said he and Ayrarat market director Artash Stepanian were released after the expiration of a 72-hour period during which suspects can be kept in custody without a charge
being formally brought against them. But Sukiasian and Stepanian signed a written pledge not to leave the city while police were investigating the claim filed by a businessman who alleged to have been forced, by Sukiasian and Stepanian, to sign some business-related documents under `a real threat of murder'.
Franklin Steves, an EBRD consultant on political issues, said it is important that any inquiry and punishment be unbiased, transparent and accountable.
The Sukiasians family owns 53.4% in Armeconombank, EBRD owns 25% plus one share. -0-
