YEREVAN. – Armenian presidential candidate, opposition National Self-Determination Union Chairman Paruyr Hayrikyan will undergo surgery Friday, by 12pm-1pm, to remove the bullet from his body. Capital city Yerevan’s Surb Grigor Lusavorich Medical Center Director Ara Minasyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am  (photos).

He noted that Hayrikyan’s health condition did not worsen at night, and he is in stable condition and conscious.   

As Armenian News-NEWS.am informed earlier, an assassination attempt was made against presidential candidate, opposition National Self-Determination Union Chairman Paruyr Hayrikyan, on Thursday at 11:30pm in downtown Yerevan. Hayrikyan was shot in the chest and was taken to hospital.  He was hospitalized with a gunshot wound in the right clavicle. He is in undergoing examination at the intensive care department.

Numerous senior officials, politicians, and other presidential contenders have come to the hospital.

A criminal case is opened in connection with the assassination attempt against Paruyr Hayrikyan. The criminal case is launched on charges of carrying out an assassination attempt against a statesman, political or public figure, which—that is, the attempt—is carried out to end this person’s noted activities. This crime is punishable by imprisonment for 12-20 years, or life in prison.    

The National Security Service is conducting the investigation.