YEREVAN. – Armenia’s presidential candidate, opposition National Self-Determination Union Chairman Paruyr Hayrikyan—who is in hospital as a result of a gunshot wound—showed resistance during the assassination attempt that was staged against him and, had he not resisted, a third shot would probably have been fired. Another presidential contender, namely, National Accord party Chairman Aram Harutyunyan, told this to Armenian News-NEWS.am, and noted that Hayrikyan had told him this when he had visited him at the hospital.

“I am more interested in his health. But, also, he said it was good that he had not taken out his own gun. He said if he had taken out his own gun, the killer would have fired another shot, and this could have left irreparable consequences,” Harutyunyan added.     

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 and hospitalized with a gunshot wound in the right collarbone.

Numerous senior officials, politicians, and other presidential contenders are coming 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