PAP Press Secretary: Armenia`s Court of Appeals has rejected the defense`s motion to change Gagik Tsarukyan`s pretrial detention.

ArmInfo. Days earlier, the Armenian Court of Appeals once again rejected the defense's motion to change the pretrial detention measure for Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) leader Gagik Tsarukyan. PAP spokesperson Iveta Tonoyan announced this on October 9 at a press conference of the Public Council for the Defense of Gagik Tsarukyan and Other Political Prisoners.

She recalled that the preliminary investigation into Tsarukyan's case has been completed and is moving to the trial stage. The first court hearing, she said, will take place on October 15 at 2:00 PM. "In this regard, I would like to once again address the events that took place prior to this and note that there is no reasonable explanation why Gagik Tsarukyan should continue to remain in custody. Considering that no attempt has been made, nor will there be, to obstruct the trial. "And especially considering that Armenian government officials themselves assure us that this is not political persecution. They have an excellent opportunity to prove it," Tonoyan emphasized.

The PAP spokesperson also spoke about the situation surrounding Tsarukyan's companies. Specifically, she recalled that approximately 15 companies were sealed as part of the case, paralyzing their operations for the past three months. "As a result, more than 10,000 workers were left without a source of income. However, by decision of the courts of first instance, the operations of several companies were restored. These companies include Euromotors, Multi Tabak, Multi Group Stone, and Olympavan. The courts found that their sealing was unlawful. "At the same time, I expect an appeal to be filed in connection with this decision," Tonoyan concluded.

As a reminder, on July 6, Prosperous Armenia Party leader and businessman Gagik Tsarukyan was detained 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 created joint legal entities with the participation of Iranian citizens, under the pretext of developing trade and economic ties between Armenia and Iran, after which they carried out a fraudulent scheme, causing damages totaling over $21 million. Furthermore, Gagik Tsarukyan has been charged with illegal hunting. On July 7, the court granted the prosecution's motion to detain Tsarukyan for two months. As part of the case, on July 6, law enforcement agencies conducted searches at more than 70 addresses associated with Tsarukyan. The doors of all businesses were subsequently sealed. Some of them were nationalized by the state. On September 4, the court extended Tsarukyan's arrest for another two months.