YEREVAN. – News appeared in the press last year that oligarch and MP Samvel Aleksanyan had traveled to Northern Iraq, and met with Iraqi officials and the Kurdish circles, Hraparak daily reported.

“Then we learned that he started exporting alcoholic beverages to Northern Iraq. Yesterday [Wednesday], we received information that Aleksanyan has not only business projects in Iraq, but diplomatic. They are going to give him diplomatic status; the [Armenia] MFA is discussing this matter.    

“Armenia’s Ambassador to Iraq, BAMO Company proprietor Murad Muradyan, who is upset at the Armenian authorities, will leave office, and Samvel Aleksanyan will take his place, albeit they say he prefers the Kurdistan sector,” Hraparak wrote.