YEREVAN. – The Health Ministry of Armenia is putting pressure on me by announcing, on a regular basis, that I should undergo medical procedures. Presidential contender Andreas Ghukasyan—who is on a hunger strike—told this to news reporters on Monday.    

He recalled that when he had gone home to take a shower on the fifteenth day into his hunger strike, ruling Republican Party representative—Education and Science Minister—Armen Ashotyan had stated that all this was a reality show.

“Members of the ruling party must decide. If they think the hunger strike is a reality show, I will fully decline from the services of the Health Ministry. [And] if they decide this is not a reality show and Armen Ashotyan announces this, I will cooperate with the Health Ministry and take their precautions seriously,” Ghukasyan noted.    

As Armenian News-NEWS.am informed earlier, 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. Ghukasyan’s health condition has fluctuated over the course of his hunger strike. Representatives from Andreas Ghukasyan’s campaign headquarters and an ambulance staff are on 24-hour duty at his side.