The Armenian authorities have arrested Russian-Armenian billionaire and opposition leader Samvel Karapetyan for a second time, citing a litany of alleged financial crimes linked to his electricity distribution business. This comes as Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who has enjoyed strong EU backing, has floated applying for membership in the bloc next year, while facing fierce resistance over a controversial constitutional overhaul.

On Wednesday, Armenia’s Investigative Committee announced criminal proceedings against Karapetyan and 35 others on allegations of embezzlement, abuse of authority, and money laundering. Law enforcement officers searched 65 properties. Prosecutors alleged that the businessman oversaw a scheme that caused around $180 million in losses to Electric Networks of Armenia (ENA), the country’s main electricity distributor.

On Thursday, a court ordered Karapetyan to be held in custody for one month.…