YEREVAN.- ARF Dashnaktsutyun condemned attack on presidential candidate Paruyr Hayrikyan.

In a statement issued on Friday, ARFD said it was a blow “to Armenia’s statehood and sovereignty, an attempt to create an atmosphere of fear and insecurity.”

The party wished Hayrikyan speedy recovery, expressing confidence the politician would be able to overcome the difficulties.

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