World-renowned singer and songwriter Charled Aznavour has also joined the open letter requesting Russian President Vladimir Putin to revise the sentence of Armenian businessman and philanthropist Levon Hayrapetyan. On April 14, a Moscow court sentenced the latter to four years in prison, finding him guilty of swindling.  The letter, which has been signed by over 50,000 people, reads:

“Dear Mr Putin,

We continue to worry about the condition businessman and benefactor Levon Hayrapetyan is in. This man is extremely ill. He has suffered 4 strokes, 2 heart attacks and also has serious oncological and urological deceases. Hayrapetyan had great contribution in strengthening Russian-Armenian relations. He has initiated hundreds of social and beneficial projects. Moreover, in his homeland, Armenia, Hayrapetyan is considered a hero.

On April 14, he was sentenced to 4 years in prison under extremely questionable charges. The affected party in Hayrapetyan's case is ex-senator Igor Izmestyev, who serves a life sentence for numerous murders. This is nonsense to charge a person based on a statement of a murderer. This fact, as well as numerous contradictions in the accusation, raise serious doubts about the nature of the case.
However, Hayrapetayn was sentenced to 4 years in prison. The possibility of conditional sentence was not even considered, taking into account his illness, which progresses day by day. Hayrapetyan needs daily medical care, and he will not survive in prison.

At the moment, Hayrapetyan is in critical condition.

We ask your assistance in revising Levon Hayrapetyan's sentence.”