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Tax audits of Tsarukyan businesses ordered; embattled tycoon dismissed
from posts
POLITICS | 15.02.15 | 11:51
RELATED NEWS
"War": Tsarukyan vows Sargsyan's words will turn to action in the streets
Armenian Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan has ordered a probe to
"verify reports" claiming that embattled opposition leader Gagik
Tsarukyan has hidden huge amounts of money in taxes under the guise of
charitable activities.
Upon the instruction of the premier, chief of government staff,
minister David Harutyunyan reportedly sent a letter to Finance
Minister Gagik Khachatryan requesting that a relevant examination be
conducted.
Addressing senior members of his ruling Republican Party of Armenia on
February 12, President Serzh Sargsyan called Tsarukyan, as a
politician, an evil for the country. He also spoke about "unverified"
reports about tax evasion by the tycoon, who leads the second largest
parliamentary party, Prosperous Armenia (PAP).
Sargsyan immediately dismissed Tsarukyan from the National Security
Council and recommended that the National Assembly leadership consider
grounds for stripping Tsarukyan of his parliamentary seat due to his
chronic absenteeism.
On Saturday, Tsarukyan was also dismissed from the post of Chairman of
the Board of the Armenian State Institute of Physical Training.
Tsarukyan and the PAP have brushed aside the accusations from Sargsyan
as groundless and unconstitutional. PAP members have claimed that
political persecution has been launched against Tsarukyan, who has
revealed his presidential ambitions recently. The leader of the PAP
himself called for a "total regime change" as he addressed senior
members of his party on Friday.
The PAP's opposition allies, including the Armenian National Congress
and Heritage, also condemned the crackdown against Tsarukyan and his
party. The leaders of the troika have been in consultations since
Friday regarding further possible actions of the opposition that is
seeking early presidential and parliamentary elections.
The next presidential election in Armenia is scheduled for 2018. But
the PAP and other opposition groups believe President Sargsyan plans
to retain his power even after his second and last term in office ends
in three years. They claim the constitutional reform initiated by the
current administration will serve as a means for the ruling party to
achieve this goal. President Sargsyan himself has repeatedly assured
his opponents that he will not seek a top government post after
leaving office in 2018. The head of state says the reform is primarily
needed to promote further democratization of Armenia.
http://armenianow.com/news/politics/60620/armenia_gagik_tsarukyan_serzh_sargsyan_tax_audits
from posts
POLITICS | 15.02.15 | 11:51
RELATED NEWS
"War": Tsarukyan vows Sargsyan's words will turn to action in the streets
Armenian Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan has ordered a probe to
"verify reports" claiming that embattled opposition leader Gagik
Tsarukyan has hidden huge amounts of money in taxes under the guise of
charitable activities.
Upon the instruction of the premier, chief of government staff,
minister David Harutyunyan reportedly sent a letter to Finance
Minister Gagik Khachatryan requesting that a relevant examination be
conducted.
Addressing senior members of his ruling Republican Party of Armenia on
February 12, President Serzh Sargsyan called Tsarukyan, as a
politician, an evil for the country. He also spoke about "unverified"
reports about tax evasion by the tycoon, who leads the second largest
parliamentary party, Prosperous Armenia (PAP).
Sargsyan immediately dismissed Tsarukyan from the National Security
Council and recommended that the National Assembly leadership consider
grounds for stripping Tsarukyan of his parliamentary seat due to his
chronic absenteeism.
On Saturday, Tsarukyan was also dismissed from the post of Chairman of
the Board of the Armenian State Institute of Physical Training.
Tsarukyan and the PAP have brushed aside the accusations from Sargsyan
as groundless and unconstitutional. PAP members have claimed that
political persecution has been launched against Tsarukyan, who has
revealed his presidential ambitions recently. The leader of the PAP
himself called for a "total regime change" as he addressed senior
members of his party on Friday.
The PAP's opposition allies, including the Armenian National Congress
and Heritage, also condemned the crackdown against Tsarukyan and his
party. The leaders of the troika have been in consultations since
Friday regarding further possible actions of the opposition that is
seeking early presidential and parliamentary elections.
The next presidential election in Armenia is scheduled for 2018. But
the PAP and other opposition groups believe President Sargsyan plans
to retain his power even after his second and last term in office ends
in three years. They claim the constitutional reform initiated by the
current administration will serve as a means for the ruling party to
achieve this goal. President Sargsyan himself has repeatedly assured
his opponents that he will not seek a top government post after
leaving office in 2018. The head of state says the reform is primarily
needed to promote further democratization of Armenia.
http://armenianow.com/news/politics/60620/armenia_gagik_tsarukyan_serzh_sargsyan_tax_audits