The arrest of Gagik Tsarukyan has been extended.

The court in Yerevan extended the arrest of the leader of the "Prosperous Armenia" party, businessman Gagik Tsarukyan, for 2 months.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", businessman and leader of the opposition party "Prosperous Armenia" Gagik Tsarukyan was suspected of tax evasion by the "Ararat" brandy factory. The defense called the case absurd, as Tsarukyan has transferred all his businesses to management since 2003, when he was elected to the National Assembly. On August 6, a new charge was brought against Tsarukyan under articles on extortion and legalization of property obtained by criminal means. In early August, law enforcement detained former parliament member Argam Abrahamyan - the son of former Prime Minister Ovik Abrahamyan and the son-in-law of the leader of "Prosperous Armenia" Gagik Tsarukyan. Abrahamyan is suspected of organizing a murder.

According to information from lawyer Emin Khachatryan, the Yerevan court of general jurisdiction today extended the arrest of "Prosperous Armenia" leader Gagik Tsarukyan for 2 months - until November 7, reported the publication "Voice of Armenia".

The day before, Tsarukyan's defense reported that they had presented all possible evidence in favor of changing the preventive measure and releasing the politician from custody. According to the defense, they will review the decision and then provide a more detailed comment. The prosecution has no grounds to claim that, if free, Gagik Tsarukyan would in any way hinder the investigation, believe Tsarukyan's lawyers.

"Unfortunately, we have once again confirmed that there is no rule of law in Armenia," commented the court's decision Emin Khachatryan.

"Caucasian Knot" also reported that Tsarukyan's party "Prosperous Armenia" along with other opposition political parties previously issued a statement about the illegitimacy of the government and plans to seek its removal.