Prosperous Armenia Party leader Gagik Tsarukyan, speaking at a meeting with voters in Agarak, commented on Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s statement about plans to nationalize Ararat Cement, saying the move was allegedly demanded by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

“It is Aliyev’s demand. When rail wagons from Azerbaijan arrive carrying gasoline, now they want Azerbaijani cement to enter Armenia as well. Whatever Aliyev demands, our prime minister must fulfill it. If he does not, he says there will be war. This is the situation we are in today. Today the country’s problem is Nikol and Aliyev,” Tsarukyan said, according to Panorama.am .

Asked whether Pashinyan’s statement about taking over Ararat Cement had come as a surprise, Tsarukyan said he had been informed beforehand.

“It was not unexpected for me, I had been informed... Nikol Pashinyan falling into convulsions is a sign of fear that he is losing everything,” he said.

According to Tsarukyan, a confident person would speak calmly and with a smile.

Earlier, during a meeting in the Shnogh community of Lori Province, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that Ararat Cement, which he described as the “business backbone” of Gagik Tsarukyan, would soon become state property and that a temporary manager would be appointed there.

Armenia’s Prosecutor General’s Office has also reported finding multiple violations in the privatization process of Ararat Cement. On May 5, prosecutors sent a letter to the Armenian government proposing that it consider measures to address the violations, including the possible appointment of a temporary manager at the company.