YEREVAN. – Upon hearing the news about the assassination attempt that was staged against his father, Armenia’s presidential candidate, opposition National Self-Determination Union Chairman Paruyr Hayrikyan—who is currently at hospital as a result of a gunshot wound—, his son returned to Armenia last night to see his father. Hayrikyan’s sister-in-law, Karine Stepanyan, who was at the Hayrikyan residence, told Armenian News-NEWS.am.   

“The boy was in Armenia since a long time; he had come [to the country] to be helpful [to his father] during the election campaign. He went [abroad] to see his mother for a few days. And upon hearing what happened [to his father], he returned [to Armenia] and he is already at his father’s side,” Stepanyan added.   

“Hayrikyan was saved from being killed through his [own] resistance. In Hayrikyan’s words, the target was his head. Had the neighbors not helped, their [that is, those behind this assassination attempt] dirty deed could have served its purpose,” the presidential candidate’s sister-in-law said, and added that this incident is politically motivated.  

Incidentally, Karine Stepanyan informed that the police are continually patrolling around the Hayrikyan residence.     

As Armenian News-NEWS.am informed earlier, an assassination attempt was made against presidential candidate, opposition National Self-Determination Union Chairman Paruyr Hayrikyan, on Thursday 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 Friday morning, and a bullet—which was located in the soft tissues of his right elbow shoulder—was removed. 

A criminal case is opened in connection with the assassination attempt against Paruyr 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.

Photo by Arsen Sargsyan/NEWS.am