YEREVAN. – The first court hearing into the case on the assassination attempt against Paruyr Hayrikyan got underway but rapidly ended on Tuesday.

The defendants in the case are former presidential contender Vardan Sedrakyan as well as Khachatur Poghosyan and Samvel Harutyunyan.

Poghosyan stated in court that he has no legal defender and asked the court to assign him a public defender.

The court decided to petition to the Chamber of Advocates and adjourned the hearing until May 20.

To note, opposition National Self-Determination Union Chairman, ex-presidential candidate Paruyr Hayrikyan was not present at the hearing, since he is receiving medical treatment abroad.         

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.     

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. Also, 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.

Photo by Arsen Sargsyan/NEWS.am