YEREVAN. – Armenian presidential candidate, opposition National Self-Determination Union Chairman Paruyr Hayrikyan—who is recovering at hospital from a gunshot wound after a recent assassination attempt—left the hospital temporarily to see fellow contender Andreas Ghukasyan, who is on a hunger strike.

Hayrikyan handed to Ghukasyan his open letter—which he issued to fellow candidates, namely, opposition Freedom Party Chairman, former PM Hrant Bagratyan and opposition Heritage Party Chairman, former FM Raffi Hovannisian—with a call for a single oppositional candidate. Hayrikyan’s assistant, Vahan Zatikyan told this to Armenian News-NEWS.am.     

According to Zatikyan, Ghukasyan said nothing, maintaining that he is not familiar with the content of the letter. In his turn, Hayrikyan asked Ghukasyan to end his hunger strike, but Ghukasyan gave no answer. 

And to the query as to whether—aside from Hovannisian and Bagratyan—Paruyr Hayrikyan’s open letter is addressed to the other presidential candidates, too, Hayrikyan’s assistant gave a positive response.      

To note, presidential contender Andreas Ghukasyan is on a hunger strike ever since January 21, and under the slogan, “Stop Fake Elections.” He demands from the Central Electoral Commission to declare the ruling Republican Party presidential candidate, incumbent President Serzh Sargsyan’s formal nomination null and void. Over the course of his hunger strike, Ghukasyan’s health condition is fluctuating. He has limited his contact with news reporters, and is trying to speak as little as possible to save his energy. Representatives from Andreas Ghukasyan’s campaign headquarters and an ambulance staff are on 24-hour duty at his side.    

Photo by Arsen Sargsyan/NEWS.am