YEREVAN. – Armenian presidential candidate, opposition National Self-Determination Union (NSU) Chairman Paruyr Hayrikyan—who is recovering at hospital from a gunshot wound after an assassination attempt—does not wish for any measure to be taken upon the instruction of a criminal manifestation. Hayrikyan himself told this to several news reporters, and added that now he is going outside his hospital room to attend the press conference of his representatives.    

“I understand that this was an assassination attempt. And those who say this was not an assassination attempt, I wish that they never deal with such non-assassination attempt,” the presidential candidate said, and stressed that this incident had sought the objective of eliminating him, and the KGB was involved in this objective for more than twenty years.  

“Since this [assassination attempt] simultaneously pursued a political objective, too, I was able to thwart that objective by defending myself. I have said that we should not succumb to terrorism.  

I don’t care they are saying Hayrikyan is making dealings [with respect to postponing the forthcoming presidential vote]. At this point, we did not petition [to the Constitutional court to postpone the election]. That is, the election is not postponed on our part,” the NSU leader added.   

To note, Hayrikyan’s attorney Levon Baghdasaryan announced that Hayrikyan will not petition to the Constitutional Court with a formal request to postpone the presidential election that is slated for February 18.

As Armenian News-NEWS.am informed earlier, an assassination attempt was made against presidential candidate, opposition National Self-Determination Union Chairman Paruyr Hayrikyan, on January 31 at around 11:20pm in downtown Yerevan, in front of his home. Hayrikyan was shot and hospitalized with a gunshot wound. He underwent a successful surgery on the morning of February 1, and a bullet—which was located in the soft tissues of his right elbow shoulder—was removed. 

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