Paruyr Hayrikyan ignores statement of "hungry" Andreas Ghukasyan

• Monday, February 4, 17:56

The leader of the National Self-Determination Union, presidential candidate Paruyr Hayrikyan has ignored the statement of Andreas Ghukasyan, another presidential candidate, who is currently on a hunger strike.

To remind, in his letter to Hayrikyan, Ghukasyan called on Hayrikyan to apply to the Constitutional Court and demand a new election given the assassination attempt against him. Ghukasyan stressed the need to start a joint fight and not to allow the parties giving bribes and carrying out an anti-constitutional activity, to take part in the election. "I am convinced this is the way that allows the public to freely choose their political future", he said. 

Paruyr Hayrikyan considers such a behavior to be an anti-state behavior. He said that the assassination attempt was aimed at postponing the election and calling a new one. He said that he is not going to be led by the nose by terrorists and to take hasty steps. Hayrikyan even paid no attention to the fact that Ghukasyan promised to stop the hunger strike if a new election is called. 

Hayrikyan thinks that it is necessary to take into account the opinion of all candidates and to take a final decision on the postponement of the election. He pointed out that he has no desire to postpone the date of the election or to call a new election. Anyway, he will announce his final decision Feb 5 midday.   

To remind, the leader of National Self-Determination Union, presidential candidate Paruyr Hayrikyan was shot in the shoulder Jan 31 night and taken to hospital. The police are investigating the case.

To note, 8 candidates will run for presidency on Feb 18: incumbent President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, former Prime Minister Hrant Bagratyan, leader of Heritage Party Raffi Hovhannisian, leader of Self-Determination Union Paruyr Hayrikyan, leader of National Accord Party Aram Harutyunyan, former Foreign Minister of Nagorno-Karabakh Arman Melikyan, political expert Andreas Ghukasyan and folklore specialist Vartan Sedrakyan.