Armenian MP denies arson attack allegations

Mediamax news agency
23 Nov 04

Armenian businessman and MP Gagik Tsarukyan has denied any involvement
in an arson attack on a service car of the editor-in-chief of Yerevan’s
Aykakan Zhamanak newspaper, Armenian Mediamax news agency reported
on 23 November quoting Aykakan Zhamanak.

Editor-in-Chief Nikol Pashinyan’s service jeep exploded and burnt in
Yerevan in the evening of 22 November, Mediamax reported. The editor
accused Tsarukyan of ordering the attack and said that the reason
could be articles in his newspaper criticizing Tsarukyan’s activities.

In the meantime, Mediamax quoted the Armenian Police as reporting
that faults in the vehicle’s battery had caused the explosion.

In his denial to Aykakan Zhamanak, Gagik Tsarukyan urged the police
to investigate the incident.

Gagik Tsarukyan is the president of the Multi Group concern and
chairman of the Armenian National Olympic Committee.