Armenia Detains Russian Wanted By U.S. For Illegal Arms Deals, Money Laundering

YEREVAN -- Armenian police said on August 29 that they have detained a Russian national at the request of the U.S. government after being informed the man was wanted in the United States on charges of money laundering and illegally transferring military technology from the United States to an undisclosed foreign country.

Armenian authorities say Sergei Mironov was detained on August 26 at Yerevan's Zvartnots International Airport.

Armenian police said Mironov was placed on an international wanted list at the request of U.S. authorities in May 2016.

Mironov is suspected by U.S. law-enforcement authorities of trying to enter into an agreement that would "breach arms export controls."

Armenian authorities said the charges against Mironov also include "attempting to violate" laws controlling the export of weapons.

A court in Yerevan was expected later on August 29 to rule on a U.S. request for Mironov's extradition.

With reporting by RIA and Interfax