UPDATE - Russia releases former Armenian defense minister after brief detention

ADDS LATEST ON ARREST OF ARMENIA'S FORMER DEFENSE MINISTER; CHANGE IN LEDE, HEADLINE AND DECK

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) – Former Armenian Defense Minister Arshak Karapetyan was released on bail by Russia on Monday following his brief arrest in the capital Moscow, according to state news agency Tass.

Karapetyan has been released on bail, the news agency said in its report, citing the Armenian Interior Ministry's press secretary, but did not provide any information about the court that accepted the bail after his brief detention.

Earlier on Monday, Tass reported that authorities had detained Karapetyan in Moscow.

“Former Armenian Defense Minister Arshak Karapetyan has been detained in Moscow at the request of Armenia,” it said, citing a source in Russia’s law enforcement agencies.

Karapetyan was placed on the international wanted list under “a number of articles” of Armenia’s Criminal Code, the media outlet said, adding that a court will soon decide on his extradition to Armenia.

Karapetyan, 57, served as Armenia’s defense minister between August 2021 and November 2021, after which he was dismissed from his post by presidential decree.