Over 100 representatives of science, culture, and sports express  support for Gagik Tsarukyan

ArmInfo.  Over 100 representatives of science, culture, and sports have issued a joint statement in support of Gagik Tsarukyan, President of the National Olympic Committee of Armenia.  The statement expresses outrage and concern over "the unprecedented and unfair pressure" being exerted  against Tsarukyan.

 "Subjecting a man who has spent his entire life working for the  benefit of Armenia to such demonstrative and unjust persecution is  evidence of a grave legal and moral crisis in our country. He has  provided tens of thousands of jobs, authored hundreds of business  projects, initiated numerous charitable endeavors, and been the  driving force behind countless sporting victories. The suspension of  operations at dozens of major enterprises and the disruption of  production processes inflict damage on the normal functioning of  these companies, leave thousands of employees without work, and  severely undermine the business and investment reputation of our  country," the statement notes.

The signatories further highlight Mr. Tsarukyan's decades of  commitment to supporting sports, culture, education, the Church, and  the preservation of Armenian identity globally.

"The dirty and inhumane campaign launched against him does no honor  to any of its participants. We express our support for Gagik  Tsarukyan and demand an immediate end to these unprecedented  repressions. This represents a gross violation of human rights and  freedoms, serves as yet another blow to our judicial system, and  further distances us from establishing an atmosphere of public  dialogue and solidarity—a necessity that Gagik Tsarukyan has  repeatedly emphasized," the statement concludes.

The declaration was signed by well-known figures including People's  Artist of the Republic of Armenia Martin Vardazaryan, People's Artist  of the Republic of Armenia Grant Tokhatyan, former Dean of the  Faculty of Oriental Studies Professor Gurgen Melikyan, actress Nora  Armani, Honored Art Worker Hakob Ghazanchyan, writer and publicist  Meruzhan Ter-Gulanyan, Honored Artist of the Republic of Armenia Anna  Mayilyan, and Honored Master of Sports Israel Militosyan, among many  others.