YEREVAN. – There are no suspects so far in connection with the assassination attempt against presidential candidate, opposition National Self-Determination Union Chairman Paruyr Hayrikyan. Armenia’s First Deputy Police Chief, Police Major General Hunan Poghosyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am. 

“We, jointly with our National Security Service colleagues, are working along those lines. Once Paruyr Hayrikyan returns to normal [health condition], we will speak with him in more detail. At this point, a general search is in progress,” Poghosyan noted.

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.