The majority of 377 deputies voted for the approval of “implementing the court’s ruling which chooses the pre-trial detention as a preventive measure against Ashot Gevorkovich Yegiazaryan, the deputy of the state Duma of the Federal Assembly of the RF, suspected of committing criminal offences”. 38 deputies voted against with one abstainee.

The investigation into Mr Yegiazaryan’s affairs was initiated after his former business companion applied to the Prosecutor General’s offices alleging that Yegiazaryan fraudulently acquired 20% share in a development company which runs the Evropark shopping complex situated at the crossing point of the Moscow Automobile Ring Road (MKAD) with Rublevskoye highway.

On October 22, 2010, the state Duma allowed Russia’s Investigative Committee to institute criminal proceedings under Section 4, Article 159 of the RF Criminal Code (major fraud) against Mr Yegiazaryan. On December 16, 3 plots of land belonging to him were arrested.

Mr Yegiazaryan might have fled from the investigation to the USA. The state Duma approval of Moscow’s Basmanny Court order to imprison Yegiazaryan gives way to put him on Interpol’s list of the wanted persons.