RPA deputy chairman: Serzh Sargsyan saw many dead bodies, and does not want Raffi Hovannisian to become another dead body

• Monday, March 11, 13:38

 Serzh Sargsyan saw many dead bodies in his lifetime, and does not want Raffi Hovannisian to become another dead body, deputy chairman of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia, head of the RPA parliamentary faction, Galust Sahakyan, said at today's press-conference when commenting on Hovannisian's statement that on 9 April Serzh Sargsyan will take an oath only over his dead body.

To note, the leader of Heritage Party Raffi K.Hovannisian, who took the second place in the Feb 18 presidential election in Armenia and did not recognized the voting result, declared hunger strike starting March 10.

Before thousands at Liberty Square Raffi K. Hovannisian declared a hunger strike until Serzh Sargsyan resigns and formally concedes the Armenian people's victory in the February 18 presidential election, Hovannisian's Headquarters reported.

"If on April 9, the Archbishop puts Serzh Sargsyan's hand on the Bible and in the name and breath of God swears in a false president, he will do so over my dead body," Hovannisian said.

Hovannisian announced that he will not leave Liberty Square during the strike and that any de facto authority, including Sargsyan, who wishes to meet with him must do so at the square. Before making his way to his strike spot on a square bench, he urged people not think of this as a typical hunger strike. "This is a fraud strike, a fear strike, a lie strike," he said.
  
In this context, asked about the reaction of the authorities on Hovannisian's statement, Galust Sahakyan replied that president of the country and his team will never take something over the dead bodies of "friends". There is no doubt that Hovannisian is a friend, he said. "The president saw many victims and does not want new victims. I take Hovannisian's such statement as a result of emotional overexcitement", - he said and added that the authorities have already submitted their proposals for constructive dialogue with the opposition.