Necessary investigative and procedural actions are being carried out at the home of Prosperous Armenia Party leader Gagik Tsarukyan as part of a criminal investigation, Armenia’s Investigative Committee said, according to Aurora News.

The Investigative Committee said it would issue an official statement later.

Attorney Yerem Sargsyan said the searches at Gagik Tsarukyan’s residence and at nearly all companies belonging to the Multi Group concern were not unexpected, Sputnik Armenia reported.

“Such actions were expected,” he told reporters.

Sargsyan said he has not yet reviewed the details of the criminal proceedings. According to him, he will comment more extensively after examining the court decision authorizing the search.

The lawyer also said he has still been unable to enter Tsarukyan’s property to determine what is taking place.

Earlier, it was reported that masked law enforcement officers had entered Tsarukyan’s residence. Large-scale searches are also underway at nearly all companies within the Multi Group concern, as well as at the homes of their directors.

On June 9, Tsarukyan was prevented from leaving Armenia at Zvartnots International Airport. Public criminal prosecution was initiated against him on charges of tax evasion on an especially large scale. According to party spokesperson Iveta Tonoyan, Tsarukyan had planned a two- to three-day trip abroad with his wife. It was later announced that, after criminal proceedings were initiated against him, he was placed under a travel restriction requiring him not to leave the country.

On June 25, it became known that a request had been submitted to the Central Electoral Commission seeking to strip Tsarukyan of his parliamentary immunity. The commission said the request would most likely be considered after July 4.