YEREVAN. – Great Britain’s Ambassador to Armenia, Jonathan James Aves, issued a message with respect to Thursday night’s assassination attempt against Armenian presidential candidate, opposition National Self-Determination Union Chairman Paruyr Hayrikyan.

“Like everyone else I was shocked at the news of the shooting of Paruyr Hayrikyan yesterday. Coincidentally, I had the honour of meeting him earlier in the day to discuss his election campaign. I could not have imagined that he would suffer such a dreadful attack only hours later.

I extend my personal sympathy and those of the British Embassy to Mr Hayrikyan, his family and friends and wish him a speedy recovery,” Ambassador Aves’ message reads.

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 around 11:20pm 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