YEREVAN. – Armenian presidential candidate, “Radio Hay” Company Manager Andreas Ghukasyan, started his announced hunger strike on Monday, that is, on the first day of the campaign season for the presidential election to be held on February 18.   

With this action, he expects from the state to review its decision and deprive incumbent President, ruling Republican Party leader, Serzh Sargsyan from the right to run in the election, Ghukasyan himself told Armenian News-NEWS.am. 

“His [that is, Sargsyan’s] running is a coercion for some voters, and this runs counter to holding free and transparent elections in the country. The state should adopt a neutral stance in the elections. I demand that the state adopt this decision,” Ghukasyan said, and noted that he will continue his hunger strike until he achieves a result.   

To the query as to whether he consulted with doctors before starting his hunger strike, Andreas Ghukasyan responded by saying that everything is in God’s hands.