Karo Yeghnukian: Hayrikian’s attempted murder had political motives

At a press conference today, lawyer Karo Yeghnukian, a friend of the leader of AIM Party Paruyr Hayrikian, expressed his opinion about the motives behind the attempted murder of Hayrikian.

“During the election campaign, two candidates – Raffi Hovannisian and Paruyr Hayrikian campaigned for overcoming the atmosphere of fear. When you achieve success, the fear disappears, and if you want to arouse that fear again, you should punish the man who has achieved success. Paruyr Hayrikian was an appropriate target, but to his credit, he managed to survive,” Yeghnukian said.

Let us remind you that the attempted murder of AIM leader, presidential candidate Paruyr Hayrikian was committed in Yerevan at 11:30 pm on January 31. Hayrikian received a gunshot wound and was taken to Surb Grigor Lusavorich Medical Center where he underwent surgery on February 1.

On February 8 the National Security Service of Armenia arrested two men: Khachatur Poghosian, 47, and Samvel Harutyunian, 41, on suspicion of attempted murder.

Shortly afterwards the NSS charged another ex-presidential candidate, Vardan Sedrakian, with organizing the attempted murder of Paruyr Hayrikian in order to stop his political activity. The court sentenced Sedrakian to two-month preliminary arrest. Sedrakian is charged under Articles 34, 38 and 305 of the RA Criminal Code.