Tsarukyan's party rejects reports he tried to leave Armenia

Armenian prosecutors have brought criminal charges against opposition leader Gagik Tsarukyan, accusing him of large-scale tax evasion, while his party rejects claims he attempted to flee the country.

The Prosecutor General’s Office said Tsarukyan, head of the Prosperous Armenia Party, is charged under Article 290 of the Criminal Code for tax evasion in especially large amounts. Authorities have imposed a travel ban to prevent him from leaving Armenia.

Local media reported that Tsarukyan was stopped at Zvartnots International Airport earlier on Tuesday. Prosperous Armenia spokeswoman Iveta Tonoyan dismissed the reports, saying Tsarukyan and his wife had planned a short private trip for family reasons. She said he canceled the visit voluntarily after officials raised questions at passport control.