YEREVAN. – Armenia’s former presidential candidate, opposition National Self-Determination Union Chairman Paruyr Hayrikyan finds that the persons, who are detained within the framework of the criminal case that is launched into the assassination attempt that was staged against him, are solely the smallest particle of this incident, and therefore he demands that the respective state agency find the actual directive giver, or givers, of this assassination attempt. Hayrikyan’s attorney, Levon Baghdasaryan, stated this during a press conference on Wednesday.         

In his words, the assassination attempt was staged against the politician Paruyr Hayrikyan and the state. Baghdasaryan said they believe the real perpetrators are in freedom, but added that they are not dissatisfied with the work of the investigating body.  

In response to the query as to their view on former presidential contender, non-party affiliate and epic poetry specialist Vardan Sedrakyan’s arrest on charges of organizing the assassination attempt, the attorney said they know that Sedrakyan is detained and a respective investigation is in progress.      

Levon Baghdasaryan also believes that the case will be solved within the next four months.

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.

And on March 5, capital city Yerevan’s Kentron and Nork-Marash General Jurisdiction Court sentenced ex-presidential contender, non-party affiliate and epic poetry specialist Vardan Sedrakyan to two months in prison. He is charged with giving the directive for the failed assassination attempt against Hayrikyan.

Photo by Arsen Sargsyan/NEWS.am