Azernews.Az

By Sabina Idayatova

Armenian Parliament Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan does not rule out that the February 18 presidential elections could be postponed because of the attack on candidate Paruyr Hayrikyan on Thursday, Trend news agency reported referring to an Armenian television channel.

According to the Constitution of Armenia, in the event of insurmountable obstacles facing a candidate for president, the election is to be postponed for two weeks.

Abrahamyan noted that he has personally spoken to Hayrikyan and assesses his condition as normal.

Hayrikyan was hospitalized with a gunshot wound in his shoulder after he was assaulted while getting out of the car on Thursday night, according to the Armenian police. Hayrikyan himself said that he had been shot twice.

The police press service said Hayrikyan was attacked on a street in the Armenian capital of Yerevan, without giving details.

Doctors from the hospital where Hayrikyan was taken said he was in stable condition and his life was not in danger. Apparently, the bullet was removed in the morning.

Head of the Armenian presidential administration Vigen Sargsyan considers the attack on Hayrikyan, which was committed during the pre-election period, to be a crime with political overtones, Novosti-Armenia news agency reported.

Sargsyan visited the injured at the hospital and told reporters that Hayrikyan wasn't dispirited after the attack.

The EU Delegation in Armenia expressed concern over the incident involving Hayrikyan and reiterated its support for the holding of elections in accordance with international standards.

The Director of OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), Janez Lenarcic, has also expressed grave concern over the attack on Hayrikyan, the organization's website said on Friday.

"This attack is deeply distressing in view of the electoral process already underway, and I urge all stakeholders to refrain from any actions that might further aggravate the situation," Lenarcic said.

He also called on relevant authorities to pursue a robust investigation of this crime and prosecution of the perpetrators.

Lenarcic added that all those concerned should ensure that the electoral process remains peaceful.

This is the fourth nomination of Hayrikyan as a candidate for president of Armenia. Previously, he participated in the elections of 1991, 1998 and 2003.

Legal proceedings were instituted on charges of attempted murder of a statesman, political or public figure, which envision imprisonment for a term of ten to fifteen years or life imprisonment. A joint investigation group, consisting of law enforcement officers and the National Security Service employees, has been set up.

The president of Armenia is elected for a term of 5 years. The pre-election campaign started on Jan. 21 and will end at midnight on Feb. 16.

Besides Paruyr Hayrikyan, seven candidates are contesting the post of Armenian president: incumbent President Serzh Sargsyan, former PM Hrant Bagratyan of the Freedom party, former FM and chairman of the Heritage Party Raffi Hovhannisyan, as well as Arman Melikyan, Andreas Ghukasyan, Vardan Setrakyan and Aram Harutyunyan.