Detained Armenian opposition leader pledges to keep fighting

Armenian businessman and opposition leader Gagik Tsarukyan, head of the Prosperous Armenia Party, has issued his first public statement since being placed under arrest, vowing to fight until the end.

Tsarukyan said Armenia is entering a period of significant uncertainty and warned of mounting challenges facing the country, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

"Armenia and its people are entering difficult and risky times. Meeting these threats requires clear judgment and wisdom," he said.

Tsarukyan also pledged to continue his political struggle despite his detention, saying he is determined to fight until the end "for the sake of the country and its citizens."

Tsarukyan was detained on July 6 and taken to Armenia’s Investigative Committee. The politician said the accusations against him were “completely fabricated.”

According to the Investigative Committee, Tsarukyan has also been charged with organising large-scale fraud and money laundering. Investigators claim that between 2022 and 2024, a group led by him created joint companies involving Iranian citizens under the pretext of developing trade and economic ties between Armenia and Iran, and later carried out a fraud scheme that caused more than $21 million in damage to the state.

The committee said participants in the alleged scheme acquired vehicles, specialised equipment, fuel, and other goods under the guise of organising logistics operations, then simulated business activities and used forged documents to misappropriate assets. Investigators also claim that part of the funds was laundered through fictitious transactions and integrated into legitimate financial circulation.

By Vafa Guliyeva