Following today’s police raid on his Arinj village house, Prosperous Armenia Party head Gagik Tsarukyan grabbed a megaphone and, standing in his courtyard, declared that he was being subjected to government sponsored intimidation.

Surrounded by supporters, Tsarukyan said the raid was political in nature and accused the government of fabricating charges that his Shangri La casino was engaged in illegal commercial activity.

“Should I be immoral and back down?" Tsarukyan asked, referring to his earlier remarks critical of the government.

Earlier today, the National Security Service (NSS) issued a statement that the it had been investigating the casino for some time and had uncovered 29.7 billion AMD ($61.7 million) in illegal activity.

The NSS issued the charges one week after Tsarukyan called for a change of the entire make-up of Nikol Pashinyan’s government.

Outside his house, the prominent businessman, alleged to be Armenia’s wealthiest individual, continued his tirade against the government, telling supporters that he would be leaving for questioning by the NSS.