Gagik Tsarukyan

Who is Gagik Tsarukyan?

Gagik Tsarukyan, also known by his nickname Dodi Gago is an Armenian politician and a wealthy businessman. He is seen as the most influential of Armenia's government-connected "oligarchs" and key business partner of Kocharyan owning over a dozen big businesses and living in a very large villa on a hilltop overlooking the northern outskirts of Yerevan.

Tsarukyan is the founder and current leader of Prosperous Armenia Party and also the president of Armenia's National Olympic Committee.

Tsarukyan graduated from Armenian State Institute of Physical Culture in 1989, had achievements in sports, was engaged in boxing, wrestling and arm wrestling. In 1996 Gagik Tsarukyan was given a title of world champion in arm-wrestling, and in 1998 champion of Europe.

Since 1989 Tsarukyan has been engaged in entrepreneurship. In 1995 he founded and presided "Multi Group" concern which now includes more than 30 enterprises: "Kotayk" beer factory in Abovyan, Yerevan Chemical Pharmaceutical Company, "Mek" Network of Furniture Stores, Yerevan Ararat Brandy-Wine-Vodka Factory, etc. Tsarukyan is accused of depriving ownership rights of foreign investors in Yerevan Ararat Brandy-Wine-Vodka Factory. Currently there are several court hearings pending. The largest one is launched from a German investment firm that accuses Tsarukyan of having illegally taken their stake. See Ownership of NOY in question