Branch of one of world`s best universities will open in Armenia -  Gagik Tsarukyan 

ArmInfo. The leader of the Prosperous Armenia Party, businessman Gagik Tsarukyan, sent another message from the basements of the NSS, noting that he will continue  implementing projects in Armenia.

In his message, which was published on his Facebook page, the  politician admitted that when a person at some point in life has a  lot of free time, they begin to reflect on what they have done and  what they haven't done. According to him, reflecting on this has  strengthened his confidence and optimism.

"I've been building all my life. I've built in Armenia. I've never  taken anything, never coveted other people's property. I've built,  restored, and improved institutions that were in a dilapidated state.  In Armenia, I've built factories, hotels, buildings, gyms, roads, an  Olympic complex, educational centers, and now a statue of Christ that  will have no equal in the world. My biography, the Tsarukyan name,  and construction have become inextricably linked," the businessman  wrote.

He added that many in Armenia know that his day begins with visiting  construction sites of various structures. Tsarukyan added that he has  no regrets. "As long as I have the strength, I will continue  building.  I will build right here in Armenia. Why am I emphasizing  this? I've heard officials from a neighboring country speak about  Armenia: new demands, new threats. And the first thought that comes  to my mind is to build in Armenia. God willing, I will build. Then my  sons and grandchildren will build. Even if 200 years pass, something  good will be built in Armenia. There will be a church, a factory, or  a school, and it will be engraved on the wall: Tsarukyan built it.  It's destiny," added the businessman, who is under arrest on charges  of financial fraud.

Tsarukyan went on to explain that several months ago, during a  meeting abroad, a representative of one of the world's best  universities officially invited me to open their branch in Armenia.  "Everyone was stunned.  No country in our region had ever been  offered anything like this. I authorized my colleague, who was  present at the meeting, to begin negotiations and work towards this  goal. Now I'm saying the same thing:  don't stop, no matter what the  difficulties, don't stop. I'm not getting a penny from this project.  But Armenia will benefit enormously from it. Keep up the good work.  Let's continue working for the benefit of our country. Armenia will  prosper by building," Tsarukyan concluded.

As a reminder, on July 6, Prosperous Armenia Party leader and  businessman Gagik Tsarukyan was detained and taken to the  Investigative Committee of Armenia. He is accused of organizing fraud  and money laundering on an especially large scale. According to  investigators, between 2022 and 2024, a group operating under his  leadership created joint legal entities with Iranian citizens under  the pretext of developing trade and economic ties between Armenia and  Iran, after which they carried out a fraudulent scheme, causing  damages totaling over $21 million.

Furthermore, Gagik Tsarukyan faces another charge of illegal hunting.  On July 7, the court granted the prosecution's motion to remand  Tsarukyan in custody for two months. As part of the case, law  enforcement agencies conducted searches at more than 70 addresses  associated with Tsarukyan on July 6. The doors of all businesses were  subsequently sealed.

It should be noted that on July 16, the Prosecutor General's Office  announced that the Anti-Corruption Court of Armenia had upheld their  claim to transfer Tsarukyan's Arat cement plant to state control. The  nationalization process for Tsarukyan's plant began after Armenian  Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan threatened to nationalize Gagik  Tsarukyan's business during a May 20 election campaign in the Lori  region.  He emphasized that the prosecutor's office had already  issued a corresponding memorandum to initiate the process. Following  Pashinyan's remarks, the prosecutor's office began taking appropriate  action.

Prosperous Armenia Party leader Gagik Tsarukyan himself emphasized  the legality of the deal at the time and linked the pressure  surrounding the plant to his political activities. He noted that the  enterprise was purchased completely legally and warned of legal  consequences in the event of an illegal seizure of property,  including an appeal to the European Court. On July 16, it was also  announced that the Multi Wellness building, owned by Gagik Tsarukyan,  had been transferred to the Yerevan Municipality. Yerevan Mayor  Tigran Avinyan confirmed this information in an interview with  Factor.am. He stated that the building was constructed on municipal  land, which is not subject to alienation, and that violations were  committed during construction.