Judge Robert Papoyan to hear motion for Gagik Tsarukyan’s arrest

Judge Robert Papoyan of the Yerevan Court of General Jurisdiction is set to hear a motion to arrest opposition Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) leader, MP Gagik Tsarukyan, the Judicial Department told Panorama.am.

The National Security Service (NSS) has launched criminal cases against Tsarukyan, accusing the lawmaker of vote buying, tax evasion and illegal land appropriation.

Armenian lawmakers voted to strip the opposition leader of immunity from prosecution on Tuesday, moving to push through the criminal proceedings against him.

The motion was approved by 87 to 0 votes cast by lawmakers of the ruling My Step faction.

Tsarukyan denies any wrongdoing, dismissing the charges as politically motivated. The MP claims the accusations against him came after his harsh criticism of the Armenian government at the June 5 meeting of his party.