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The opposition Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) leader, lawmaker Gagik Tsarukyan on Tuesday denounced the tax evasion and vote-buying allegations against him as “fabricated".

Speaking at the National Assembly which is debating the chief prosecutor's motion to strip the MP of his immunity from prosecution, Tsarukyan again accused the government of trying to shift the blame for its mishandling of the coronavirus crisis to the people.

He reiterated the authorities have failed the fight against the pandemic, stating the 2018 revolution “has come to an end”.

“They say, ‘If you vote against [the motion] it will mark the end of our revolution.’ The end of your revolution has already come. Walk around the towns or villages, the country is facing an economic crisis while you are raising the property tax. People are struggling under the heavy burden of loans, forgive them,” the MP said, warning of a famine in the country in three months.

Also, the lawmaker criticized the government’s foreign policy and lack of domestic political stability.

“I have no fears despite all efforts to intimidate me or fabricate allegations against me. I am asking again, is there anyone who says Tsarukyan has given money to me to deliver it as bribes?” he said. “I am not an enemy of the nation. Ask Pashinyan of the investments I have attracted to the country. All this is made up and immorality,” he said.