Prosperous Armenia Party leader Gagik Tsarukyan will remain in custody for another two months, lawyer Emin Khachatryan said outside the courthouse.
The Yerevan Court of First Instance of General Jurisdiction considered the request to extend Tsarukyan’s detention on Sept. 3 for more than six hours, Sputnik Armenia reports.
“Once again, it has been confirmed that the rule of law has no place in Armenia. In reality, there are no substantial arguments; these are speculative assumptions. Nothing in the case materials presented to the court confirms that Mr. Tsarukyan, if at liberty, could obstruct the investigation. These are completely unfounded assertions,” Khachatryan said.
He noted that at the initial stage, when it was argued that certain actions might take place and there were concerns that Tsarukyan could potentially obstruct the preliminary investigation, the defense had maintained that this could not happen. Khachatryan stressed that all confrontations have now been conducted and there was no longer any need to impose a preventive measure at this stage.
According to Emin Khachatryan, the case will be sent to court very soon. He said the defense would appeal the decision to the Court of Appeal after reviewing it.
Tsarukyan does not accept the charges brought against him.
Starting early on July 6, the Investigative Committee, together with employees of Armenia’s National Security Service, State Revenue Committee and Interior Ministry police, conducted simultaneous searches at the Prosperous Armenia Party leader’s mansion, more than 70 companies belonging to him and his family, and private premises. The investigative actions ended only late in the evening, after which Tsarukyan was detained and subsequently remanded in custody for two months. The businessman and another person are accused of aiding fraud and aiding money laundering. Another case was also initiated over the alleged illegal hunting of a wild animal or bird.
It later became known that AraratCement and Yerevan’s Ararat Brandy-Wine-Vodka Factory had been transferred to the administration of the Armenian government, while the Multi Wellness fitness center building was transferred to Yerevan Municipality. Prosecutors are seeking the forfeiture of 75 real estate properties and about AMD 106 billion from Tsarukyan.
