YEREVAN. – Armenian presidential candidate, opposition National Self-Determination Union Chairman Paruyr Hayrikyan—who is recovering at hospital from a gunshot wound after an assassination attempt—arrived in the press conference site, just a little while ago, where his attorney Levon Baghdasaryan just announced that Hayrikyan will not petition to the Constitutional Court with a formal request to postpone the presidential election that is slated for February 18. 

“I am present not solely in the political arena, but also physically. Let every Armenian know that nothing can distract the political arena. I understand that it was terrorism against me. They attempted to kill the peoples’ values: democracy, independence, self-determination.  

I came to say that I am here. I know that you care for me, and I care for you a tenfold of that,” Hayrikyan 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 January 31 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 on the morning of February 1, 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