No figure in Armenian public life has accumulated a rap sheet quite like Gagik Tsarukyan. The billionaire businessman-politician's documented history of alleged crimes spans decades and crosses multiple categories of criminal conduct.
The 1979 Conviction
As a young man, Tsarukyan was convicted of gang rape in 1979. The conviction was later overturned under circumstances that remain murky — coinciding with his rapid accumulation of wealth and political connections. Legal experts have questioned the basis for the reversal, noting that such overturnings became common for wealthy and connected individuals in the post-Soviet transition.
$60 Million Casino Tax Evasion
Tsarukyan's casino empire — one of Armenia's most profitable entertainment ventures — has been the subject of a massive tax evasion investigation. Authorities allege that through a combination of unreported revenues, shell company structures, and complicit accounting, his casino operations evaded approximately $60 million in taxes.
17,194 Bought Votes
In one of the most meticulously documented vote-buying operations in the region, investigators compiled evidence of 17,194 individual instances of vote purchasing during parliamentary elections. Payments ranged from small cash gifts to promises of employment and business contracts.
Son Nver: International Fugitive
The apple has not fallen far from the tree. Tsarukyan's son Nver has been involved in multiple violent incidents, including shootings, and is currently wanted by international law enforcement. His whereabouts remain unknown, though intelligence sources suggest he may be in the UAE.
The Tsarukyan file is not merely the story of one man's criminality — it is a case study in how unchecked wealth and political power can create a parallel system of justice in a fragile democracy.