Russia: Businessman who took hostages at Moscow bank sent to pretrial detention
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 27 August 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Russia: Businessman who took hostages at Moscow bank sent to pretrial detention, 27 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57db9a564.html [accessed 1 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
August 27, 2016
A man who took four people hostage inside a Citibank branch in downtown Moscow on August 24 has been sent to pretrial detention.
A court in Moscow on August 26 put Aram Petrosian under arrest until October 24.
Petrosian announced that he started a hunger strike to protest his incarceration.
Earlier on August 26, Petrosian was officially charged with hostage taking. If found guilty he may face up to 15 years in jail.
Petrosian, 55, entered the Citibank branch claiming that he had a bomb.
The hostages, who included three bank employees and one customer, were freed unharmed several hours later.
The supposed explosive device Petrosian had around his neck turned out to be fake.
Petrosian insists that his intention was to attract top officials' attention to problems faced by bankrupted businessmen in Russia.
Based on reporting by Interfax and TASS
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
