YEREVAN. – As a result of the assassination attempt against Armenia’s presidential candidate, opposition National Self-Determination Union Chairman Paruyr Hayrikyan—who is recovering at hospital from a gunshot wound—, his rating sharply increased. Political technologist Karen Kocharyan told this to Armenian News-NEWS.am, and added that, now, he has a chance to come in second, third, or fourth in the forthcoming election.

Also, Kocharyan classified the eight presidential contenders into three categories: The ruling Republican Party candidate, incumbent President Serzh Sargsyan; the three politicians that will vie for 2nd-4th places; and the remaining four candidates.    

At the same time, Kocharyan stressed that it would be cynicism to say what occurred with Hayrikyan was a publicity stunt.

“The man is wounded; they begin to treat him differently. His percentages certainly have gone up,” the political technologist stated. 

As for the impact Hayrikyan’s not petitioning to the Constitutional Court will have on his rating, Kocharyan said the future course will show.

With respect to who, or what, affected the presidential contender’s aforesaid decision, the political technologist noted that he does not believe Hayrikyan was pressured into this decision.

And as for what the assassination attempt changed during the election campaign, Karen Kocharyan stated that there was a shock on the first day but, for the most part, nothing has changed and there is no breakthrough.

As Armenian News-NEWS.am informed earlier, Paruyr Hayrikyan’s attorney Levon Baghdasaryan announced Tuesday that Hayrikyan will not petition to the Constitutional Court with a formal request to postpone the presidential election, and therefore the vote will be conducted on February 18, as planned. And Hayrikyan explained his reason for this by saying he does not wish to contribute to the plans to forcibly change Armenia’s political agenda.   

To note, 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.