Criminal proceedings are underway on attempt on life of Armenian presidential candidate, Paruyr Hayrikyan, head of public relations of the police, Ashot Agaronyan told ARKA agency on Friday.
"Legal proceedings were instituted under Article 34-305 of the Criminal Code of Armenia (attempted murder of statesman, political or public figure, committed for termination of his activities shall be punished by imprisonment for a term of ten to fifteen years or life imprisonment)," Agaronyan said.
According to him, a joint investigation group, consisting of law enforcement officers and the National Security Service employees, has been created.
"The case is under jurisdiction of the National Security Service," Agaronian said.
Hayrikyan was shot in the shoulder on Tpagrichneri street ("Pechatniki") in the center of Yerevan, where the house of his parents is located. Doctors assess the victim's condition as moderate. Apparently, the bullet was removed in the morning.
This is the fourth nomination of Hayrikyan as a candidate for president of Armenia. Previously, he participated in elections of 1991, 1998, 2003.
Recently, the candidate went on a three-day hunger strike in solidarity with another presidential candidate, Andrias Ghukasyan.
The other day, three of the eight nominees registered by the Central Election Committiee of Armenia, Hrant Bagratyan, Paruyr Hayrikyan and Raffi Hovannisyan, issued a joint statement with a number of demands to the authorities. In particular, they urged to publish the lists of citizens residing outside the country, who are deprived of the right to vote. Submission of such lists will help to eliminate cases of massive ballot-box stuffing, according to candidates.
The sixth Armenian presidential election will be held Feb. 18 from 08:00 to 20:00 local time. The head of state is elected for five years.
Those running for the presidency are the incumbent president and ruling Republican Party leader Serzh Sargsyan, former Prime Minister Grant Bagratyan, chairman of the Heritage Party Raffi Hovhannisyan, Paruyr Hayrikyan, Arman Melikyan, Andrias Ghukasyan, Vardan Setrakyan and the leader of the National Accord Party Aram Harutyunyan.