Tsarukyan vows to keep building in Armenia

PanARMENIAN.Net - Prosperous Armenia Party leader Gagik Tsarukyan has issued a message from the Kentron Penitentiary, saying he has no regrets about his life and intends to continue building projects in Armenia for as long as he is able.

Reflecting on his time in detention, Tsarukyan said that having more free time had prompted him to think about what he has accomplished and what more he could have done.

He said those reflections leave him feeling confident and optimistic.

“Throughout my life, I have been building. I have been building in Armenia. I have never taken or sought anyone else's property. I have built new facilities, reconstructed existing ones, and restored enterprises that were in a semi-ruined state,” he said.

Tsarukyan listed factories, hotels, residential buildings, sports facilities, roads, an Olympic complex and educational institutions among the projects he says he has developed in Armenia. He also referred to the planned statue of Christ, which he said would be unmatched anywhere in the world.

He added that his surname has become synonymous with construction and development, saying visits to construction sites are a daily part of his routine.

“I regret nothing. I have no remorse. As long as I have strength, I will continue to build. I will build in Armenia,” Tsarukyan said.

Explaining why he emphasized Armenia, he said he had recently listened to statements by officials from a neighboring country containing what he described as new demands and new threats toward Armenia.

“My first thought is to build in Armenia. As long as God gives me strength, I will keep building. Then my sons and grandchildren will continue. Even in 200 years, something good will still be built in Armenia. Whether it is a church, a factory or a school, the wall will say it was built by Tsarukyan. That is my destiny,” he said.

Tsarukyan also revealed that several months ago, during a meeting abroad, a representative of what he described as one of the world's leading universities formally proposed opening a branch campus in Armenia.

He said no other country in the region had received such an offer and that he had instructed a colleague attending the meeting to begin negotiations.

“I have no personal financial benefit from this project. But Armenia stands to gain enormously. Do not stop because of difficulties. Let us continue working for our country. Armenia will prosper through building,” the statement said.

Early on July 6, officers from Armenia's National Security Service, the State Revenue Committee and the Ministry of Internal Affairs conducted simultaneous searches at more than 70 locations, including Tsarukyan's residence and businesses linked to him. He was detained the same day.

On July 7, the Avan and Nor Nork Court of General Jurisdiction considered the request for his pre-trial measure, and later ordered his detention for two months.