I said years ago and I reaffirm now: you can't keep a country with charity. This is stated in a message by detained businessman and opposition Prosperous Armenia Party chairman Gagik Tsarukyan.

"Since in recent times there have been attempts to present charity with other interpretations, I want to present my thoughts on this important issue.

I said years ago and I reaffirm now: you can't keep a country with charity.

A country develops with the right economic policy, new jobs being created, new economic powers, healthy economic environments, and effective management systems.

But with charity you can help thousands of people, you can help the development of culture, science, education, sports, and other spheres. You can save lives, build churches, print books, shoot films, create opportunities for getting an education, stage performances, do other important things. It's like that all over the world. And the problem is not at all in the amount of money. I know hundreds of Armenian boys who, having just started to establish themselves, have strived to do something good for their city or village. Glory and honor to them.

Alongside them, we know the name of Mantashov, thanks to whom numerous Armenian talents were educated all over the world, and they kept the name of the Armenian people high. We know the name of Kirk Kerkorian, who donated huge sums of money to his historical homeland. We know the name of Samvel Karapetyan, who, in accordance with his character, without making a fuss, did an indescribable amount of charity in Armenia and Artsakh [(Nagorno-Karabakh)].

I will not talk about what I have done. History will evaluate what I have done in Armenia. Everything happened before everyone's eyes. But I must open a topic.

For many years, one thought tormented me: why should only the [Armenian] diaspora always help Armenia? We have an Armenian world. And if Armenians in different parts of the world need help from time to time, why shouldn't someone from Armenia as well lend a helping hand? If in the initial period of [Armenia’s] independence [in 1991] this had an explanation, then later it was an inertial mistake. Moreover, a gross mistake.

At one point I decided to change this tradition. And I decided to be the benefactor from Armenia who helps our compatriots in difficulty in different parts of the world. Thus, I, Gagik Tsarukyan, born and established in Armenia, have helped our compatriots in Syria caught in the grip of war, our compatriots in Lebanon, the Armenian community in Iran, Armenian communities in various countries of the Middle East, Armenian colleges, schools facing financial problems in various countries, our churches and Armenian communities in different countries of the world.

The unity of the Armenian world is also created and strengthened by such steps, when an Armenian who encounters difficulty in any part of the world receives the support of an Armenian in the homeland.

I repeat again: charity has nothing to do with the amount of money. Charity helps to form a better society, a society that respects each other, lends a helping hand to each other. I have said on various occasions that there is no [such thing as] happiness alone. You simply cannot live like a pig, think only about your own interests, and be indifferent to the concerns of your country and your people.

I grew up in a family living hard, living modestly, but I saw that my mother always set aside a piece of bread for those who live worse off. Whatever I have done for my country, I have done little, God willing, I will do more. My sons will certainly do the same.

Charity literally means a good deed. A good deed is, first of all, the good intention for the sake of the country, for the sake of the future of the people. It is an aspiration coming from the heart, which everyone implements to the best of their abilities. Encouraging good intentions is important for changing the atmosphere in the country, the aspiration to help each other is important for building a strong country and a strong society. The opposite of this is division and hostility, which are destructive for Armenia,” Gagik Tsarukyan stated in his message from the Kentron Penitentiary.