"Do you have any evidence against me?" A verbal clash erupted between Tsarukyan and the prosecutor

The president of the Prosperous Armenia party, Gagik Tsarukyan, and the director of Multi Group Concern, Sedrak Arustamyan, were involved in a verbal clash during a court session regarding their case, reported Sputnik.

The session is being conducted in the Anti-Corruption Court under the presidency of Judge Aram Grigoryan. After the prosecutor's statement, Gagik Tsarukyan decided to express his opinion on the ongoing hearings.

“When I listen to the prosecutor, I am just ashamed that more than 100 investigators have summoned around 1,000-2,000 people, some for two months, some for one month... Let the esteemed prosecutor at least provide one example of anyone saying, ‘Tsarukyan gave money for me to take a bribe.’ Who has Tsarukyan paid?” Tsarukyan asked the prosecutor.

In response, Agajanyan addressed the judge, asking the court to call the defendant to exhibit restraint and appropriate behavior. Tsarukyan got angry and replied, “Do you have any evidence against me that you are accusing me?”

A brief verbal exchange ensued between the prosecutor and Tsarukyan. Following this, the judge urged both parties to express themselves with restraint and to avoid personal attacks.

It is noteworthy that Gagik Tsarukyan and Sedrak Arustamyan have been charged under the second part of Article 154.2 of the previous Criminal Code (bribing voters). According to the prosecutor's office, the incident occurred during the April 2, 2017 elections of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia. The bribe was provided for voting in favor of a specific candidate.

On April 21, 2023, the prosecutor approved the accusatory conclusion, which was submitted along with the case materials to the Anti-Corruption Court. On May 2, it became known that the Anti-Corruption Court had accepted the case concerning Tsarukyan and Arustamyan for further proceedings.