The Yerevan Court of General Jurisdiction has extended the pre-trial detention period for Gagik Tsarukyan, leader of the "Prosperous Armenia" party, by an additional two months.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, the politician's lawyer, Emin Khachatryan, confirmed the court's ruling. Under the current decision, Tsarukyan will remain in custody until November 7.
The defense team has criticized the ruling, asserting that they provided sufficient evidence to warrant his release, which the court reportedly disregarded. The lawyer further argued that there is no substantial evidence suggesting Tsarukyan would interfere with the ongoing investigation. The defense has announced its intention to appeal the decision to the Court of Appeals.
Gagik Tsarukyan was initially detained in July 2026 during an operation conducted by the Investigative Committee of Armenia. Law enforcement officials conducted searches at his residence and at more than 70 locations linked to his associates.
Tsarukyan faces multiple charges, including fraud, money laundering, the misappropriation of $934,000, and illegal hunting. As part of the ongoing investigation, authorities have implemented seizure measures regarding assets linked to the "Ararat" cognac-wine-vodka combine, the "Araratcement" plant, and the "Multi Wellness" sports complex. The Prosecutor's Office is reportedly investigating the potential confiscation of 75 real estate properties, 42 vehicles, and shares in 38 companies belonging to Tsarukyan and his associates.
This case remains a significant development in the Armenian political landscape, highlighting ongoing tensions between the current administration and opposition figures. The legal proceedings against Tsarukyan, a prominent businessman and political leader, have drawn considerable public attention due to the scale of the assets involved and the nature of the allegations.
