Armenian opposition leader charged with fraud to be held for two months

Gagik Tsarukyan, a prominent opposition leader and businessman in Armenia, has been ordered to remain in pre-trial detention for two months. A court ruling on Tuesday confirmed the detention, which stems from suspicions of large-scale fraud and money laundering. Tsarukyan, who leads the Prosperous Armenia party, was arrested Monday along with an associate.

The charges involve the alleged fraudulent import of vehicles, machinery, fuel, and other goods valued at $21 million from Iran between 2022 and 2024. Armenian investigators searched Tsarukyan's properties, including his home and businesses, on Monday. His legal team has stated they will appeal any conviction.

The detentions have drawn sharp criticism from eight opposition groups, who allege the move is politically motivated. These groups had previously contested the results of last month's election, which saw Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan re-elected. Pashinyan had previously referred to the main opposition groups, including Tsarukyan's party, as a "three-headed spy party of war."

Tsarukyan, a 69-year-old former world arm wrestling champion, amassed his fortune in various sectors after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The Central Election Commission recently rejected an opposition petition to overturn the election results.