Lions kept at Gagik Tsarukyan’s residence transferred to Yerevan Zoo

Lions kept at the residence of businessman and Prosperous Armenia Party leader Gagik Tsarukyan have been transferred to Yerevan Zoo.

The announcement was made by Prosperous Armenia Party spokesperson Iveta Tonoyan.

She said that during searches conducted at Tsarukyan’s reception residence, the animals kept there were sedated and transferred to the zoo. According to the spokesperson, the animals had been kept in the best possible conditions. She added that the animals were sedated by employees of the Environmental Protection and Mining Inspectorate.

Yerevan Municipality also issued a statement on the matter, saying that, at the municipality’s proposal, the animals kept at the private residence were transferred to Yerevan Zoo during the investigative actions.

According to the municipality, the animals will remain under the supervision and care of specialists.

The municipality also released a video showing that the transferred animals were lions.

Law enforcement authorities began searches early on July 6 at Tsarukyan’s residence and about 70 other premises linked to him. Later, the Investigative Committee announced that Tsarukyan had been detained on charges of large-scale fraud and money laundering.