With the former president Levon Ter Petrosian increasingly looking likely as the main opposition candidate to stand against the prime minister, Serzh Sarkisian, in next year’s presidential election in Armenia, various media outlets are already reporting that the persecution of his supporters has already started.

The case against the Gyumri-based GALA TV is already well-known, but there are other examples too. Armenia Now, for example, reports on the increased interest by the tax authorities in the economic activities of businessman Khachatur Sukiasian (formerly known in “better days” as Grzo).

The further developments interesting to the public continued in early November, when inspection started at the Bjni mineral water plant belonging to MP Khachatur Sukiasyan as well as at other companies belonging to the Sukiasyan family.

The checkups, nonetheless, were not so unexpected. The news about possible inspections and even arrests at “Sil Concern” were speculated upon already in late September when one of Armenia’s most successful businessmen, the founding director of “Sil Concern”, Sukiasyan, stood beside Ter-Petrosyan, not concealing his political preference.

“I will always be by Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s side,” Sukiasyan told media. Indeed, the tycoon was in the front line on October 26 during the largest opposition rally of recent years. “I am prepared for persecutions. When your choice is ideological, when you are certain that your choice is right, then you are ready. I will take any pressure, any persecution with pleasure.”

The full post is available on the Armenia Election Monitor 2008 Blog.