Armenian police offer to provide bodyguards to all presidential candidates
YEREVAN, February 1. / ARKA /. Armenian Police said they are ready to
ensure the safety of all eight presidential candidates and called on
them to take advantage of this opportunity. In a press release it said
it may provide them with bodyguards.
"The Police of Armenia express their deep regret in connection with
the armed attack on Armenian presidential candidate Paruyr Hayrikian
and will take all necessary measures to prevent and detect crimes,"
the press release said.
Paruyr Hayrikyan was shot in the shoulder close to his home in the
capital Yerevan on Thursday night. Doctors removed the bullet on
Friday and said his life was not in danger.
The authorities have launched in inquiry into the case under Article
34-305 of the Criminal Code of Armenia (attempted murder of state,
political or public figure to stop his/her activities). A joint
investigation group was set up including police and National Security
Service officers.
The February 18 election will be contested by eight candidates - the
incumbent president Serzh Sargsyan, former prime minister Hrant
Bagratian, ex-foreign minister Raffi Hovannisian, a Soviet time
dissident Paruyr Hayrikyan, former foreign minister of Karabakh Arman
Melikyan, a political analyst Andrias Ghukasyan, a businessman Vartan
Sedrakian and Aram Harutyunyan, leader of a small National Unity
party. -0-
YEREVAN, February 1. / ARKA /. Armenian Police said they are ready to
ensure the safety of all eight presidential candidates and called on
them to take advantage of this opportunity. In a press release it said
it may provide them with bodyguards.
"The Police of Armenia express their deep regret in connection with
the armed attack on Armenian presidential candidate Paruyr Hayrikian
and will take all necessary measures to prevent and detect crimes,"
the press release said.
Paruyr Hayrikyan was shot in the shoulder close to his home in the
capital Yerevan on Thursday night. Doctors removed the bullet on
Friday and said his life was not in danger.
The authorities have launched in inquiry into the case under Article
34-305 of the Criminal Code of Armenia (attempted murder of state,
political or public figure to stop his/her activities). A joint
investigation group was set up including police and National Security
Service officers.
The February 18 election will be contested by eight candidates - the
incumbent president Serzh Sargsyan, former prime minister Hrant
Bagratian, ex-foreign minister Raffi Hovannisian, a Soviet time
dissident Paruyr Hayrikyan, former foreign minister of Karabakh Arman
Melikyan, a political analyst Andrias Ghukasyan, a businessman Vartan
Sedrakian and Aram Harutyunyan, leader of a small National Unity
party. -0-