The lawyers representing businessman and Prosperous Armenia Party leader Gagik Tsarukyan have decided to seek international arbitration following the suspension of operations at companies belonging to him, Sputnik Armenia reports, citing PPА representative Elinar Vardanyan.

“A team of lawyers is currently working on the matter. They will not confine themselves to Armenia’s judicial system, particularly given that our law enforcement system serves exclusively one person. Relevant lawsuits, complaints and applications will also be submitted to various international bodies,” Vardanyan said.

According to her, the processes currently unfolding in Armenia have taken on an unlawful character. Challenging them through the Armenian legal system has become more difficult because, Vardanyan argued, the incumbent authorities have distorted that system.

Vardanyan said the companies concerned had undergone inspections for many years, yet alleged violations had suddenly emerged only now. In her assessment, this points to an evident political context behind the developments.

“Applications will also be filed with international arbitration bodies because the issue is not limited to the criminal prosecution of Gagik Tsarukyan. It also concerns an infringement of his right to engage in entrepreneurial activity. We will therefore appeal to international bodies to protect rights in this area as well,” Vardanyan said.

On July 14, about 150 employees of Multi Tabak held a protest demanding that restrictions be lifted and the factory resume operations. Employees of other Tsarukyan-owned companies sealed by Armenia’s Investigative Committee had previously staged protests with the same demands.

On the morning of July 6, masked special forces officers entered Tsarukyan’s residence. It later emerged that investigative actions had also been carried out at various properties belonging to Tsarukyan and at the homes of directors of companies included in the Multi Group concern. More than 20 companies were sealed and remain out of operation.

Gagik Tsarukyan was detained and subsequently remanded in custody for two months. The businessman and another person were charged with aiding fraud and aiding money laundering. A separate case was also opened over the alleged illegal hunting of a wild animal or bird.