Oppositionist: Authorities` actions against PAP leader nothing more  than direct revenge and political persecution

ArmInfo.  It's obvious to everyone that the actions against Gagik Tsarukyan are nothing more  than direct revenge and political persecution. This opinion was  expressed by Ishkhan Saghatelyan, a member of the National Assembly  of the Republic of Armenia from the opposition Armenia bloc, at a  briefing in the court courtyard on July 7, where the arrest of the  leader of the Prosperous Armenia Party was being discussed.

According to him, the authorities stole the party's votes and are now  trying to restrict the activities of this political force using  similar methods. According to the opposition figure, Armenian Prime  Minister Nikol Pashinyan is attempting to establish his own power,  recognizing his lack of legitimacy.

"By persecuting political forces, he is trying to pave the way for  the destruction of centers of resistance and the fulfillment of  promises made to his foreign partners," Saghatelyan stated, adding  that the authorities have virtually no "red lines" and are prepared  to do anything to remain in power. He believes that a united struggle  is necessary to overthrow this regime.

As a reminder, the Yerevan Court of General Jurisdiction, presided  over by Judge Garik Abelyan, is considering the arrest of Gagik  Tsarukyan, leader of the Prosperous Armenia Party. He was detained on  July 6 and taken to the Investigative Committee of Armenia. He is  accused of organizing fraud and money laundering on an especially  large scale. According to investigators, between 2022 and 2024, a  group operating under his leadership, under the pretext of developing  trade and economic ties between Armenia and Iran, created joint legal  entities with the participation of Iranian citizens, after which they  carried out a fraudulent scheme, causing damages totaling over $21  million. Furthermore, Gagik Tsarukyan has been charged with another  offense: illegal hunting.