Billionaire behind world's tallest Jesus statue arrested; construction halted

Construction on what was planned to be the world's tallest statue of Jesus Christ in Armenia has been halted following the arrest of its primary sponsor, billionaire Gagik Tsarukyan.

Tsarukyan, who initiated and funded the monumental project, was arrested in July on charges of large-scale fraud and money laundering. The investigation has led to the sealing of some of his businesses, directly impacting the construction timeline for the statue.

The statue, designed to stand 33 meters tall with a 77-meter pedestal, would significantly surpass existing religious monuments like Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro. It was envisioned as a new symbol for Armenia, attracting foreign tourists and forming part of a larger tourism complex.

However, the project was not without its challenges. The Armenian Apostolic Church reportedly had reservations about the statue's scale and its alignment with Armenian religious traditions. Environmental groups also raised concerns about the potential impact on the landscape and archaeological heritage of Mount Hatis, the intended location. Discoveries of Bronze and Iron Age fortress remnants further complicated the site selection, requiring a relocation of the monument.

Tsarukyan, also the leader of the Prosperous Armenia party, had previously seen his party narrowly miss parliamentary representation after election results were annulled in two precincts. The future of the Jesus statue project remains uncertain, with no official announcement regarding its suspension or continuation, and no clear timeline for its completion.