Dodi Gago & the Future of Armenia
Harmick at Blogrel has posted news of the concerning political aspirations of oligarch and MP Gagik Tsarukian (AKA Dodi Gago) and asks is this “a progression to more liberal, European values or a backward step to oligarchic fiefdom?”
Quotes like this from the RFE/RL article that Harmick links to are oncerning to say the least. Has Armenia sunk so low?
Another jobless man loitering nearby said he too will become a Prosperous Armenia member because Tsarukian had once given him firewood to heat his home in the winter. “It’s worth supporting that person,” he said. “It’s even worth making him our king. I just can’t think of a better president for Armenia.”
Comments are being solicited, and as I feel quite strongly about the continuing criminalization of the highest echelons of political power in Armenia, I’ve made one which hasn’t shown up yet, but which is worth re-posting here.
Hmmm, I wonder how much less the money Dodi Gago gives as charity is from the amount of taxes he apparently avoids paying?
The list had some glaring omissions, including several of Armenia’s most lucrative firms. Gagik Tsarukian, arguably the wealthiest man in the country, owns more than 40 medium and large companies. Only a handful of them were on the list and only one of them, a Yerevan-based winery, posted any earnings. Its first-quarter profit tax of nearly $20,000 is less than the price tag of any of the dozen cars that normally make up Tsarukian’s motorcade.
Tsarukian’s business empire has seen an incredible expansion in recent years. The former arm-wrestler started out as a minority shareholder in one of Armenia’s two largest breweries in the late 1990s. The brewery has claimed to be loss-making since then, and it is not clear how exactly the unusually beefy tycoon, who is very close to the ruling regime, has earned his millions. Some local observers suspect that more powerful individuals are behind Tsarukian’s businesses.
As for the rule of law, take a look at some of Mr Tsarukian’s business associates. Might also be worth looking at what Armenia Now’s Vahan Ishkanyan recently wrote about the man himself.
One of the most powerful, most infamous and famous “akhperutyuns” of Yerevan is Gagik “Dodi Gago” Tsarukyan, who is a close associate of the President’s family, and a Member of Parliament since 2003.
Members of Dodi Gago’s akhperutyun clashed with another akhperutyun in the spring of last year at “Tetsi Krug” for control over a minibus route. A mob estimated at about 200 fought in a planned rumble that left one man dead and at least two injured.
Charges were filed, but not upheld against the main men of the “razborka” (rumble). The same “main men” Hrair “Artashatsi Hro” Harutyunyan and Ashot “Bangladeshtsi Hamo” Avetisyan led their “akhperutyun” in attacking photo journalists, and beating participants in a rally on April 5, 2004, during a demonstration organized by oppositional politician Artashes Geghamyan.
Gagik Tsarukyan’s power extends to Yerevan’s satellite town of Abovyan and the village of Arinj. He also has territories in Yerevan. Two years ago he became the President of the National Olympic Committee of Armenia. During the Soviet years he was convicted for rape. But three years ago Armenia’s court expunged his conviction.
Well, wealth may be created for those closest to Tsarukian, but at the expense of taxes being paid into the state budget and an increase in mafia-related crime including murder, attacks on journalists and the erosion of human rights and democracy in Armenia.
Comment by Onnik — April 17, 2006 @ 12:16 am
The guy is a mobster. Period. His thugs have threatened a journalist to break his hands if he dares to write something negative about Kotayk beer. And this is just one example. It is really scary to see how uneducated corrupt criminals are becoming parliamentarians, ministers, law enforcement officers, etc. People who are smart and intelligent are simply too scared to deal with them, and therefore keep a low profile and don’t participate in the changes happening in Armenia. Every time people mention how generous GT is and how much he gives back to community, shows once again how poor the socio-economic conditions are in Armenia. People who have to think about daily survival would always appreciate any kind of assistance and help without questioning: “But how much is he stealing from us by not paying taxes, customs duties and gaining business profits by threatening people and business competitors around him?” If his new party is planning to make Armenia proposperous the way he became prosperous, then we all are in a big trouble.
Comment by Nanul — April 17, 2006 @ 1:11 am
Hovik, you don’t sound like a man of much reason if any at all. If you are happy with the crumbles dropped into your bowl, it doesn’t mean he is a hero or he does much good for the country prosperity. I think.
Comment by searres — April 19, 2006 @ 3:17 pm
Even though opinion seems to be divided . It is better that Mr. Zarukian keeps himself only occupeied with his businesses and try to make them profitable all….and keep honest accountant and pay taxes to the state….more revenue to the state may mean less poverty if it is justly distributed…instead of some handout by Mr. Zarukian and others…who probably don’t pay adequatly their taxex….
Comment by Garo Sernaz — April 20, 2006 @ 2:49 am
I pray that one day will come when all semi-literate, narrow-minded, self-centered, and consumerist geghacis like Dodi Gago will be swiped away from Armenia and open-minded, well-educated, and public-spirited people finally rule our country and grant its people much-awaited tranquility and well-being.
P.S. I propose that Armenia’s current “rulers” insript “In Dod We Trust” on their currency bills.
Comment by Vrej Haka-geghcian — May 8, 2007 @ 6:51 pm
I NOTICED THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF UNEDUCATED PEOPLE WRITING CRAP ABOUT GAGIK TSARUKYAN. IF YOU GUYS DO NOT KNOW WHAT HE DOES TO HIS FELLOW ARMENIANS, THEN VISIT YEREVAN, ABOVYAN AND ARINJ AND TALK TO THE PEOPLE WHO PRAISE HIM. THIS GUY DOES MORE TO HIS COMMUNITY THAN WHAT THE PRESIDENT DOES FOR THE ARMENIANS. SO WHAT IF HE DOES NOT PAY TAXES, IF HE DID PAY TAXES, THE PEOPLE OF ARMENIA WOULD NOT SEE THE MONEY, BECAUSE GUYS LIKE SERZH SARKISSIAN WHO MAKES A FEW HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS PER MONTH AS A GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE, IS RANKED AS ONE OF THE TOP RICHES PEOPLE IN ARMENIA. NOW, TELL ME DOES HE OWN ANY BUSINESSES. HOW DID HE MAKE HIS MILLIONS. GAGIK TSARUKYAN MAKES JOBS FOR PEOPLE TO WORK, YOUNG OR OLD. HE SHOULD NOT GO AROUND AND HAND OVER MONEY, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BUILD AN HONEST SYSTEM FOR SOCIAL SECURITY, WELFARE, AND OTHER LEGAL MEANS OF COLLECTING AND DISTRIBUTING FUNDS. GAGIK TSARUKYAN IS LIKE ROBIN HOOD WITH A TWIST. HE DOES NOT STEAL FROM THE RICH AND GIVES TO THE POOR, HE IS THE “RICH AND PROVIDES JOBS FOR POOR PEOPLE WHO ARE WILLING TO WORK”
Comment by HAKOP TSARUKYAN — August 24, 2007 @ 4:21 am
there needs to be a leader to bring control in any situation… so in this case it’s Gago…. if there are others that can do a better job… time will show…. for right now, this is what we have…. just like the world has US…. there should be a internal force like Gago that acts like US does for the world….
Comment by AM — September 24, 2007 @ 9:11 pm