YEREVAN. – The Health Ministry of Armenia was not involved in taking medical samples from presidential candidate Andreas Ghukasyan—who is on a hunger strike—and conducting an examination on them, the Health Minister’s Press Secretary Anahit Haytayan told Armenian News-NEWS.am, commenting on the statements made by the chief of Ghukasyan’s election campaign headquarters.

“The Ministry has never taken blood or other samples from Andreas Ghukasyan and, also, has not conducted an examination of them, and it solely has a copy of the results of the laboratory research,” Haytayan noted.

As for the “accuracy” in connection with measuring Ghukasyan’s blood pressure, the press secretary stated that there could be slight fluctuations with respect to the instrument that measures blood pressure, but this cannot play a decisive role.           

Anahit Haytayan also informed that the presidential candidate’s health is in normal condition, his blood pressure is 100/60, and his pulse is 82.

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 a medical staff are on 24-hour duty at his side.