YEREVAN. – Armenian presidential candidate, opposition National Self-Determination Union Chairman Paruyr Hayrikyan—who was discharged on Monday from capital city Yerevan’s Surb Grigor Lusavorich Medical Center after being treated for a gunshot wound following an assassination attempt—is back at the hospital Thursday and he is undergoing treatments, Center Director Ara Minasyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

He noted that the pain in Hayrikyan’s right hand continues and that is why he is undergoing a variety of treatments, including electric shocks, massage, and medications.  

In his turn, Center Deputy Director Gagik Manukyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am that the presidential candidate must undergo an x-ray, and he will remain in the hospital Thursday and spend the night in his hospital room.   

To note, the presidential contender’s long campaign trips to the regions had an adverse effect on his health condition, and his scheduled visit to Lori Region on Thursday was put off.  

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. 

Also, a criminal case is opened in connection with the assassination attempt against 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. On February 7, formerly convicted Khachatur Poghosyan, and Samvel Harutyunyan were detained on suspicion of carrying out an assassination attempt against Paruyr Hayrikyan. And on February 10, Poghosyan, 46, and Harutyunyan, 40 were arrested. Both have pleaded guilty.

Separately, Hayrikyan had announced, on February 1, that he planned to petition to the Constitutional Court for a postponement of the presidential election—which is slated for February 18—for two weeks. Subsequently, however, he changed his mind several times in this respect, but, ultimately, he did submit a corresponding petition to the Court on February 10. On Monday, however, he withdrew the petition and, also, he was discharged from hospital on the same day.      

Photo by Arsen Sargsyan/NEWS.am