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—, our relations with Russia will be placed in doubt. Fellow presidential contender, National Accord party Chairman Aram Harutyunyan stated this during a press conference on Wednesday.  

He believes the president of the country should publicly state that he does not share Hayrikyan’s view—that Russian imperialism might be behind his shooting—and immediate conclusions should not be made with respect to the masterminds of this assassination attempt.   

“[But] perhaps, our authorities are speaking from Hayrikyan’s mouth,” Harutyunyan said, and underscored that no official has expressed such view.   

Also, Aram Harutyunyan noted that an anti-Russian propaganda is carried out by those people, most of who are not in Armenia for even one day.    

As Armenian News-NEWS.am informed earlier, Paruyr Hayrikyan announced Tuesday that he 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. 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.