YEREVAN. – Armenian National Assembly Deputy Speaker, ruling Republican Party (RPA) Spokesperson Eduard Sharmazanov visited, on Friday morning, presidential candidate, opposition National Self-Determination Union Chairman Paruyr Hayrikyan, who is in hospital as a result of a gunshot wound.  

His [health] condition was much more stable as compared to last night; he is no longer in a state of shock; he was speaking more comfortably, Sharmazanov told Armenian News-NEWS.am.   

Also, Sharmazanov informed that he was able to find out from Hayrikyan some details about the incident. The presidential contender had ruled out the possibility that what occurred was related to domestic issues and stressed that he has no enemies.  

“He said, ‘I got out of the car, walked a little, [then] noticed someone, I turned around, he raised his hand, [and] shot. The distance between my hand and his body was 20-30 centimeters.’ He saw his face, but he does not remember. He called for help after the gunshot, [and] then he recalls nothing,” Sharmazanov said.  

Also, the presidential candidate had told the RPA spokesperson that he had heard two gunshots, but only one of them had hit him.        

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 hospitalized with a gunshot wound in the right clavicle. He is in undergoing treatment 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. It 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.

Photo by Arsen Sargsyan/NEWS.am