Pashinyan accuses opposition leader of corruption

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on May 28 accused businessman and opposition leader Gagik Tsarukyan of plundering the state and collaborating with foreign intelligence services.

Speaking at a press conference, Pashinyan vowed to nationalise the Ararat Cement company, which is linked to Tsarukyan, and warned of future legal action against the Prosperous Armenia Party leader and his relatives, Caliber.Az reports via Armenian media. 

“We’ll deal with you too, Gagik Tsarukyan. Get ready—we’re nationalising Ararat Cement, and you and your relatives will be held accountable for this criminal deal, for plundering the Armenian people. And get ready for your castle to turn into a nursing home by 2031. I promise this to the voters of Armenia,” Pashinyan said.

The prime minister also renewed allegations that Tsarukyan had acted on behalf of foreign intelligence services in political matters.

Responding to Tsarukyan’s demand that authorities prove claims he was a spy, Pashinyan said:

“He included Andranik Tevanyan on his list at the behest of a foreign intelligence service. He is an agent.”

By Sabina Mammadli