YEREVAN. – The health condition of Armenia’s opposition National Self-Determination Union (NSU) Chairman, ex-presidential candidate Paruyr Hayrikyan, who survived a suicide attempt and underwent a surgery in Belgium, has taken a turn for the worse. 

Complications have emerged after his operation, Hayrikyan’s nephew Vrezh Zatikyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

“They placed something in Hayrikyan’s body, which [that is, the thing] should permeate over the course of months. [But] now, a bloody fluid comes out from the surgery spot, [and] the doctors are extracting it. According to the physicians, this should not have happened. It seems his body does not accept [it]. They hope the secretion is because of this and [his body] will adapt over time,” Zatikyan said.     

In his words, it will become clear by next week as to the cause of this bloody oozing, and Hayrikyan is under medical supervision. 

The NSU leader wanted to return to Armenia on Monday, but this did not materialize due to the worsening of his health. It is not known when he will return to the country.  

As Armenian News-NEWS.am informed earlier, Paruyr Hayrikyan was wounded as a result of an assassination attempt that was staged against him on January 31 at around 11:20pm in downtown Yerevan, in front of his home, and during the campaign season for the presidential election that was held on February 18. First, he was transferred to capital city Yerevan’s Surb Grigor Lusavorich (Saint Gregory the Illuminator) Medical Center, where he was operated on. Subsequently, he was taken to the rehabilitation center of the Armenian Red Cross Society. Next, Hayrikyan headed to Belgium for treatment, and he underwent a surgery there.     

To note, on March 28, the Government of Armenia allocated 20,500,000 drams (approx. $50,000) to the Health Ministry to pay for the costs of Paruyr Hayrikyan’s medical treatment to be conducted abroad. The amount was allocated from the Government reserve fund.

In the criminal case that was launched into this assassination attempt, ex-presidential candidate, non-party affiliate, and epic poetry specialist Vardan Sedrakyan—who is imprisoned—is charged with organizing the attempted murder of a state, political, or a public figure. Two others, namely, Khachatur Poghosyan, is charged with attempted murder of a state, political, or a public figure and with illegal acquiring, possession and use of a weapon; and Samvel Harutyunyan is charged with attempted murder of a state, political, or a public figure.

According to our information, the first court hearing into this case is scheduled for mid-May.  

Photo by Arsen Sargsyan/NEWS.am