Associated Press International
February 13, 2015 Friday 5:37 PM GMT

Armenia’s president, millionaire lawmaker in bitter rift

YEREVAN, Armenia

YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) – A bitter conflict has erupted between the
president of Armenia and a multi-millionaire leader of the
second-largest faction in parliament.

President Serge Sarkisian has signed a decree expelling Gagik
Tsarukian, leader of the Prosperous Armenia party, from a government
advisory panel called the National Security Council. He also ordered
authorities to investigate Tsarukian, one of Armenia’s richest men,
for alleged tax-dodging and failure to attend parliament sessions.

Tsarukian, in turn, accused Sarkisian of trying to punish him over his
refusal to back a constitutional reform that would allow Sarkisian to
remain Armenia’s leader beyond 2018 when his current presidential term
ends.

Tsarukian, who previously supported Sarkisian, called Friday for
citizens to demand the president’s resignation. Tsarukian met the
leaders of other Armenian opposition parties to discuss forging a
joint strategy.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress