Prosperous Armenia says authorities pressuring Tsarukyan amid searches

Opposition Prosperous Armenia Party spokesperson Iveta Tonoyan accused the Armenian authorities of exerting pressure on its leader Gagik Tsarukyan after investigators carried out searches at his residence and at nearly all companies belonging to the Multi Group concern.

Tonoyan made the remarks as law enforcement officers conducted searches following the Constitutional Court's decision on Saturday to uphold the results of the June 7 parliamentary elections.

"They are trying to exert pressure on Gagik Tsarukyan by every possible means," Tonoyan told reporters.

She said the authorities had apparently been waiting for the Constitutional Court's ruling before launching the investigative actions, which she said began at about 7:15 a.m.

According to Tonoyan, the searches started only after the court's decision meant Tsarukyan no longer held the legal status of a parliamentary candidate. The Central Electoral Commission no longer had to consider a request from the Prosecutor General's Office concerning him.

Tonoyan said party officials learned through media reports that the searches were being conducted as part of an investigation into alleged money laundering and tax evasion, adding that they had been unable to contact Tsarukyan's lawyers before speaking to reporters.

She said Tsarukyan was at home with members of his family when investigators arrived but that neither he nor his relatives could be reached because communication was not possible during the searches.

Tonoyan said she hoped Tsarukyan or his lawyers would later address questions about the investigation.