Taking the podium today at a special session of the Armenian National Assembly to debate whether to strip him of his parliamentary immunity, Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) head Gagik Tsarukyan said the recent accusations against him are a fabrication and that the government has launched a political witch-hunt against him.

The National Security Service (NSS) has charged several of Tsarukyan’s gambling businesses with fraud and Tsarukyan is alleged to have organized and led a group that bribed Gegharkunik Province residents to vote for the BHK in the April 2017 parliamentary elections.

The NSShas also announced launching another crimianl case involving Tsarukyan and the Arinj village administration. The NSS alleges that the municipality illegally sold 7.5 hectares of community land to a Tsarukian-owned firm.

On Monday, law enforcement officials wrote to parliament speaker Ararat Mirzoyan, asking him to raise the issue of stripping Tsarukyan of his parliamentary immunity so that he can be taken into custody.

“I appeal to the people. All of this began on June 5, after the political council session,” Tsarukyan told MPs, adding that he’s criticized the government over its mismanaging of the coronavirus.

Tsarukyan portrayed himself as a savior of the common people, claiming that he’s invested 20 billion AMD in the country’s economy of the years.

“It’s a fabrication. You are turning Gagik Tsarukyan into a greater hero,” the BHK leader and businessman said.

Tsarukyan also complained about how law enforcement is treating his son.

“They are so immoral that after calling me in for questioning, they summon my son. Be a man, don’t hatch anything against my son.”

Tsarukyan conceded his remarks by saying that he had to go down to the NSS office for a follow-up visit.

While Speaker Mirzoyan instructed Tsarukyan to stay to answer questions from the floor, the BHK leader exited the chamber.