Bagratian to be fielded, but not by HAK

At the convention of Freedom Party on December 24, the deputy of the Armenian National Congress (HAK) faction Hrant Bagratian will be fielded as a presidential candidate in the 2013 election.

Bagratian wrote on his Facebook page: “The convention of Freedom Party will start on December 24, at 12 noon, in the Palace of the Deaf and Dumb located at 69 Yeznik Koghbatsi Street. Our delegates ask questions about the agenda (some will come from remote regions). The issue of fielding me as a presidential candidate is on the agenda. So I am asking all the delegates to attend the convention. I think the participation of a candidate with a liberal ideology in the election is mandatory. At the same time I would like to inform you that if Levon Ter-Petrosian is nominated, I will withdraw my candidacy (if I have been nominated). I want to ask you to take into account the fact that I have not been nominated by HAK.

Moreover, for the time being I will suspend my active cooperation with the political council of HAK so as not to hinder any of them”.