YEREVAN. – Armenia’s opposition Free Democrats Party condemned the assassination attempt that was staged against presidential candidate, opposition National Self-Determination Union Chairman Paruyr Hayrikyan.   

“First and foremost, this was aimed against Armenia’s statehood, and it was a challenge to all those forces that fight for the establishment of democracy in Armenia.  

We expect for the perpetrators and those responsible for this crime to be revealed and severely punished in a very short period of time.   

We extend our support to Paruyr Hayrikyan and wishes him a speedy recovery,” the Free Democrats’ respective statement specifically 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, in front of his home. Hayrikyan was shot and hospitalized with a gunshot wound . He underwent a surgery Friday morning, and a bullet—which was located in the soft tissues of his right elbow shoulder—was removed. 

Numerous senior officials, politicians, and other presidential contenders are coming to the hospital to visit him.

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.