Ashot Yeghiazaryan to maintain his mandate

Russian State Duma's committee on ethics and mandates has rejected the claim on stripping MP Ashot Yeghiazaryan off his mandate.

The committee also ruled that Yeghaizaryan will continue receiving his monthly salary of 160,000 Russian roubles, Russian newspaper Vedomosti reported.

The argument behind such decision was that a parliamentarian's activity is regulated by the Labor Code, hence sacking a member of parliament or depriving him/her of salary could be possible only after changing the law on the status of parliamentarians.
Igor Lebedev of the Liberal-Democratic party said Yeghiazaryan was ready to return to Russia provided the law enforcement agencies guarantee his and his family's security. He also said that the MP does not avoid criminal liability as the case against him was fabricated.

Earlier, Alexander Khinshteyn of Edinaya Rossia party requested the committee to consider the salary clause, claiming that Yeghiazaryan was abroad for several months and didn't attend the parliament sessions.

On November 3, the State Duma passed a decision on stripping Yeghiazaryan off his mandate. Later a criminal case was filed against him under Section 4, Article 159 of the Russian Criminal Code (swindling at large scales). If convicted, Yeghiazaryan may face imprisonment for up to 10 years.