YEREVAN. – Just a while ago, Armenian Central Electoral Commission Chairman Tigran Mukuchyan visited presidential candidate, opposition National Self-Determination Union Chairman Paruyr Hayrikyan, who is currently recovering at hospital from a gunshot wound. 

Following the visit, Hayrikyan held a news conference at the hospital. He noted that he will make a statement two days, and in connection with whether or not he will petition to the Constitutional Court to postpone Armenia’s presidential election slated for February 18.  

Hayrikyan noted that he feels better than expected. Also, he stressed yet again that the fired shot was not directed against him, but rather against Armenia and its statehood.    

To note, Hayrikyan had come out of the hospital’s intensive care department on foot, on Saturday morning, and spoken with those that had gathered outside. 

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