YEREVAN. – Armenian News-NEWS.am presents top ten of the most significant political events of the year.

1. Assassination attempt on Paruyr Hayrikyan

The opposition National Self-Determination Union Chairman, ex-presidential candidate Paruyr Hayrikyan was wounded as a result of an assassination attempt that was staged against him on January 31 at around 11:20pm in downtown Yerevan, in front of his home, and during the campaign season for the presidential election that was held on February 18. First, he was transferred to capital city Yerevan’s Surb Grigor Lusavorich (Saint Gregory the Illuminator) Medical Center, where he was operated on. Subsequently, he was taken to the rehabilitation center of the Armenian Red Cross Society. Next, Hayrikyan headed to Belgium for treatment, and he underwent a surgery there.     

In the criminal case that was launched into this assassination attempt, ex-presidential candidate, non-party affiliate, and epic poetry specialist Vardan Sedrakyan was charged with ordering the attempted murder of a state, political, or a public figure. Also, Khachatur Poghosyan was charged with attempted murder of a state, political, or a public figure; and Samvel Harutyunyan was charged with orchestrating the attempted murder of a state, political, or a public figure. Vardan Sedrakyan was sentenced to fourteen years in prison.

2. Presidential elections in Armenia

The sixth presidential elections took place in Armenia on February 18. Seven candidates were running for the presidential seat: leader of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan, head of Heritage Party Raffi Hovannisian, former Prime Minister of Armenia, Chairman of the Freedom party Hrant Bagratyan, head of the Union for National Self-Determination Paruyr Hayrikyan, political analyst Andreas Ghukasyan, former Karabakh Foreign Minister Arman Melikyan and epic poetry specialist Vardan Sedrakyan.

Serzh Sargsyan won elections in the first round, getting 58.64 percent of votes. Raffi Hovannisian was the second with 36.75 percent.

3. Hunger strike of Heritage party leader and “barev” revolution

Head of Heritage party Raffi Hovannisian did not recognize the official results of presidential elections and started mass protest actions in Liberty Square. Hovannisian declared the start of “barev” (hello) revolution. On February 21 Hovannisian met with Serzh Sargsyan behind the closed doors. Being disappointed with the results of their meeting, Hovannisian declared a hunger strike in Liberty Square that lasted 21 days. On the day of official inauguration of Sargsyan, Heritage leader held an alternative inauguration.

4. Elections to the Yerevan Council of Elders

The Republican Party of Armenia was declared the winner of Yerevan Council elections. Severn political forces participated in the elections: Republican Party of Armenia, Prosperous Armenia Party, “Barev [Hello], Yerevan” bloc, Armenian National Congress Party, ARF Dashnaktsutyun Party, Orinats Yerkir Party and Arakelutyun Party. As a result, the ruling Republican Party of Armenia, the non-pro-government Prosperous Armenia Party, and the opposition “Barev, Yerevan” bloc will comprise the new Council of Elders of Yerevan.

5. Murder of former Gyumri mayoral candidate

Shots were fired nearby Syunik governor Suren Khachatryan’s home in Goris city, on June 1 at around 12:10am. As a result, one person was killed and two others sustained gunshot wounds and were taken to Goris hospital. The person who died was Avo Budaghyan, the former Goris mayoral candidate. The wounded were Budaghyan’s brother Artak, and Nikolay Abrahamyan, a relative and bodyguard of Khachatryan. Subsequently, the wounded were transferred to capital city Yerevan.

A criminal case was launched on charges of murder and illegal carrying, possession, and use of arms and ammunition. Two people were arrested in connection with this incident. One of them was the Syunik regional governor’s son, Tigran Khachatryan, 19, and the other was the governor’s bodyguard, Zarzand Nikoghosyan.  

Pursuant to his petition, Suren Khachatryan was relieved of his duties as Governor of Syunik Region. Artak Budaghyan was charged with an armed assault. Later the Armenian Defense Ministry’s investigation service decided to stop the criminal proceedings against the son and bodyguard of ex-governor. The investigation service decided to lift the restraining order and stop criminal proceedings on the basis of collected materials and the available evidence

6. Citizens of Armenia launch “We will not pay 150 drams” protest actions

The capital city Yerevan Municipality decision to increase the public transport fares in the city brought about outbursts. Several groups were formed in the social networks, and the initiatives were staging protests and distributing pamphlets against this decision.

In addition, the “Free Car” initiative was launched, along the lines of which Armenia’s numerous well-known personalities, MPs, and ordinary residents provide—with their own vehicles—free transportation to the people. The municipality was forced to cancel the decision.

7. Armenia on the way to Customs Union

During his visit to Moscow on September 3, President Serzh Sargsyan declared Armenia’s intention to join the Customs Union, and then participate in the formation of Eurasian Union. This statement put an end to the negotiations on the Association Agreement and DCFTA with the EU that lasted 3.5 years and had to be initialed in November during the Vilnius summit of Eastern Partnership. The authorities justified this decision by strengthening security of Armenia, as well as the economic benefits that will give the membership in the Customs Union. Europeans have accused Russia of pressure on former Soviet republics, including Armenia. Armenia and Russian authorities denied these allegations. On December 24 during the meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council a roadmap of Armenia’s accession to Customs Union was approved.

8. Armenian president declares amnesty

President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan on October 3 submitted, for National Assembly discussions, the proposal to declare amnesty in Armenia The amnesty was declared on the occasion of the 22nd anniversary of the declaration of Armenia’s independence. Convicted opposition activist Tigran Arakelyan was released under amnesty on October 14.

9. Karabakh talks

In 2013, the Karabakh process was marked by a meeting of the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan. Serzh Sargsyan and Ilham Aliyev met in Vienna on November 19 after nearly a two-year break. Most experts recognize that the main achievement of the meeting was resumption of talks at the highest level, since no breakthrough in the negotiation process is expected in the near future. Meanwhile, during 2013 the Azerbaijani side has repeatedly violated the cease-fire , not only on the line of contact with the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, but also on the border with Armenia.

10. State visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Armenia

Russian president Vladimir Putin paid a state visit to Armenia in early December. The presidents signed over dozen of agreements, including lifting export duties on gas, petroleum products and raw diamonds supplied to Armenia. A number of agreements on gas supplies were signed, among the agreement providing for the sale of 20% of ArmRusgazprom shares to Gazporm and reduction of gas price to $189 per thousand cubic meters. The agreements on cooperation on nuclear safety and action plan for implementation of long-term economic cooperation for the period till 2020. The ratification of gas deals was opposed by four parliamentary factions: ARF, Prosperous Armenia, Heritage and ANC.