YEREVAN. – The health condition of Armenia’s presidential candidate, opposition National Self-Determination Union Chairman Paruyr Hayrikyan—who is at capital city Yerevan’s Surb Grigor Lusavorich Medical Center as a result of a gunshot wound—is stable, Center Deputy Director Gagik Manukyan told news reporters on Saturday. 

He noted that the patient’s health condition corresponds to the second day of post-operation.

“[His health condition] is stable to the extent that he moves in active manner, walks, he has no fever, [and] he speaks. He is normal, comfortable, [and] there is no secretion,” he said.    

The physician stressed that the presidential contender’s current health condition is stable and satisfactory, and he can consume whatever he wants.

Manukyan noted, however, that Hayrikyan will stay at the intensive care department still for some time, but as an ordinary patient. He added that the patient’s stitches will be removed within six or seven days after the surgery.

“He definitely will be here until Monday [February 4], then we will see,” Gagik Manukyan stated.

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