Your trusted source

A group of Armenian musicians and TV hosts have joined a call for the release of famous conductor Sergey Smbatyan.

Smbatyan, the artistic director and chief conductor of the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra, and his father Armen Smbatyan, Armenia’s former ambassador to Israel, were arrested for large-scale fraud in late July.

The Prosecutor General’s Office alleges that Smbatyan’s actions led to a loss of one billion drams for the state, and that the 300-square-meter plot of the Yerevan Tchaikovsky Music School was stolen.

In an open letter to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Prosecutor General Anna Vardapetyan, the artists highlight Sergey Smbatyan’s invaluable contribution to the development of the country’s cultural life and urge the competent authorities to reconsider his detention.

The signatories of the letter include singers Iveta Mukuchyan, Nune Yesayan, Shushan Petrosyan, Alla Levonyan, Hayk Ghevondyan (better known as Spitaksi Hayko), Aram MP3, duduk player Kamo Seyranyan, TV host and songwriter Avet Barseghyan, TV host, comedian and musician Garik Papoyan, to name a few.