YEREVAN. – “I am trying to write, after a long break. My health condition is not improving; I continue to remain under medical supervision.” Armenia’s ex-presidential candidate, opposition National Self-Determination Union (NSU) Chairman Paruyr Hayrikyan—who was being treated at capital city Yerevan’s Surb Grigor Lusavorich Medical Center for a gunshot wound following an assassination attempt—wrote this in his Facebook page.  

“Tomorrow [Wednesday], I probably will be transferred to another medical facility. I have things to say about the [current] political situation [in Armenia], but it is best to put it off [for now]. [But] don’t think that I will be quitting! I can’t, even if I want to. 

“I dream of the day when I will be able to write with the fingers on my right hand, forget about the excruciating pain, and return to everyday life.

“As for the demeanor toward me during the ‘[presidential] elections [of February 18],’ you have seen it. So, let’s not speak [about it],” the NSU leader wrote.   

Incidentally, Hayrikyan is already transferred to the rehabilitation center of the Armenian Red Cross Society. 

As Armenian News-NEWS.am informed earlier, an assassination attempt was made against former 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, but the motives of the assassination attempt are unclear to this day.

Photo by Arsen Sargsyan/NEWS.am