Prosperous Armenia Party leader Gagik Tsarukyan said Armenia should not become hostile toward Russia, speaking during a campaign event in Yerevan’s Ajapnyak district. He added that events are unfolding exactly as he had warned, apparently referring to restrictions imposed by Russia.
“Didn’t I say that we should not become enemies with Russia? I did, didn’t I? Now do you see what is happening? That is why people must think about the country and its citizens. There may be many choices in an election, but you must choose the best one, the one that is safest for your country, your people and their daily lives,” the Prosperous Armenia leader said, according to RFE/RL.
Commenting on Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s allegation that his son-in-law, Karapet Guloyan, was removing stones from a house that had already been transferred to state ownership by court order, Tsarukyan said the incident had occurred before the ruling, “a year or a year and a half earlier.”
“As for Guloyan, I said that the house was too small for his children. That happened long before the decision. Craftsmen were taken away and questioned, even though they were not dismantling or taking away stones but carrying out construction and improvement work. Guloyan instructed his lawyer to apply and state that although he did not accept the valuation of 2.5 million, he was ready to pay that amount so that his father’s and grandfather’s home, and the home of his children, would remain theirs. The craftsmen were held by police for three days and gave testimony. And the dismantling being discussed took place a year or a year and a half before the decision,” he said.
According to Tsarukyan, after the house was nationalized, his son-in-law moved into a rented apartment.
The Prosperous Armenia leader declined to respond to other accusations made by the prime minister, including remarks suggesting that Tsarukyan would end up “living in a cage.” Earlier, during a meeting with supporters, he said he opposes insults, mudslinging and harsh exchanges.
“I have said that I do not start first. People say things, and they receive a response,” Tsarukyan stated.
During meetings with residents of Ajapnyak, Tsarukyan again stressed that he backs his words with action. He spoke about free education, healthcare and guaranteed peace.
The election campaign that began on May 8 will continue until June 5. June 6 will be a day of silence, while voting will take place on June 7. On May 25, it became known that the Alliance Progressive Centrist Party had submitted a withdrawal request, after which the Central Electoral Commission annulled the registration of the party’s electoral list. As a result, ballot paper number 13 will not appear in the upcoming elections.
