Former Gyumri mayor's son detained

Khachatur Balasanyan, the youngest son of former Gyumri Mayor Samvel Balasanyan, has been detained as part of a criminal case into illegal privatization of municipal land involving his father.

The Anti-Corruption Court of Appeals granted the prosecutor’s motion to remand him in pre-trial custody on Friday, the Prosecutor’s Office told NEWS.am.

Balasanyan was initially arrested at Yerevan’s Zvartnots Airport on October 11 as he attempted to board a flight to the United States, where his father is undergoing medical treatment. The young man was later moved to house arrest after posting a bail of 70 million drams.

An arrest warrant has been issued against the ex-Gyumri mayor charged with abuse of office and money laundering.