Armenia bloc considers PAP leader`s detention overt political  reprisal

ArmInfo.  The Armenia Bloc issued a statement regarding the detention of Prosperous Armenia Party  leader Gagik Tsarukyan, calling these actions by the Armenian  authorities an open political reprisal.

The political party condemned the actions of the Armenian authorities  both against Tsarukyan and at businesses owned by his family members.  "We note that the current regime's style of turning power structures  into political batons and suppressing opponents goes beyond any legal  logic and reflects the fears of the ruling regime. Violations of  property rights and economic terror directly affect the country's  investment climate and economic security.

It is clear that with such actions, the ruling regime is attempting  to mask a crisis of legitimacy and eliminate all possible sources of  resistance to achieving anti-state goals," stated the bloc of  Armenia's second president, Robert Kocharyan.

"We express our support for Gagik Tsarukyan and all those persecuted  for political reasons. We draw the attention of all international  actors to the post-election events in Armenia and call for clear  assessments to prevent the strengthening of the authoritarian regime  in Armenia," the political force stated.

Early in the morning of July 6, security forces searched Gagik  Tsarukyan's home and businesses. Searches were conducted at more than  70 addresses, all of which were subsequently sealed. After 12 hours  of investigative work, Tsarukyan was detained, and a motion for his  arrest was filed with the court. He is accused of aiding and abetting  fraud and aiding and abetting money laundering. Tsarukyan's defense  called the charges against the businessman absurd. Furthermore,  investigators confiscated the businessman's animals and moved them to  the Yerevan Zoo.