Armenia’s Anti-Corruption Court has rejected a motion to detain the country’s former economy minister Vahan Keropyan and eight others arrested yesterday on charges of participating in a criminal organization and money laundering.

Armenia’s Investigative Committee alleges that the criminal organization used false documents to steal 74 hectares of land belonging to the Yerevan community from 2008 to 2014.

The IC reports that members of the criminal organization pledged these real estate properties to banks at various times through companies affiliated with them, receiving loans of US$10 million or more.

Keropyan, who wasn’t minister during that period, rejects the charges.