Gagik Tsarukyan's Bodyguard Claims He Was Forced into Politics by the People

Gagik Tsarukyan’s bodyguard, Eduard Babayan, who is also a candidate for the proportional list of the Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK), stated that he has not heard of any significant electoral violations. "There have been some minor complaints, but I haven't heard of any specific violations," he said in an interview with Tert.am after voting.

When asked what he meant by minor incidents, he replied, "Well, they say there are guidances, that things are happening, but I haven't seen anything." Regarding the remark that the same was said by the governor of Kotayk region about internal guidances and that he is unaware of which political force is involved, Babayan responded that they have been informed as well, but he knows nothing concrete. "But I see that the people come to vote happily and peacefully," he added.

To the observation that in the past there were polling stations where citizens were brought in buses, he noted, "Well, now the law has changed, they say it’s not allowed, and you see people are coming on foot to vote and leaving."

When asked what compelled him to enter politics nonetheless, Eduard Babayan mentioned the people: "The people of Abovyan and the Kotayk region forced me; they said I need to become a deputy so I can be by their side and be more useful to them," he noted.

It is noteworthy that Eduard Babayan, the head of Gagik Tsarukyan's bodyguard service and leader of the 'Tsarukyan' parliamentary faction, was arrested on July 3. Babayan is suspected of inflicting severe bodily harm under Article 112 of the Criminal Code. Later, he was released on a bail of 20 million drams.