Campaign Armenian presidential election, 2013

paruyr hayrikyan shot in right clavicle during election campaign



hayrikyan s assassination attempt

on 31 january 2013, before midnight, candidate paruyr hayrikyan shot in right clavicle. taken hospital. doctors saved life , 2 days later able give interview in hospital.

president sarksyan stated behind crime aimed affect natural flow of elections , , continued outrageous crime directed not against presidential candidate , statesman hayrikyan against our security. hayrikyan, campaigning on platform of taking more pro-western foreign policy accused foreign secret service agency of attack, possibly russia, country s traditional supporter. suspect secret service of foreign country... said there no alternative , should move closer europe. ve had more harm advantage imperialistic russia... suggest assassination attempt linked these statements. organisation security , cooperation in europe (osce) expressed concern on incident. ambassador janez lenarcic, director of osce office democratic institutions , human rights, said: attack distressing in view of electoral process under way, , urge stakeholders refrain actions might further aggravate situation.

the election have been postponed 2 weeks according electoral law of armenian, on 5 february 2013, hayrikyan made clear not appeal constitutional court such request.

hayrikyan s open letter hovannisian , bagratyan

on 9 february 2013, injured presidential candidate paruyr hayrikyan announced decision postpone election 14 days, using right given armenian constitution. called 2 other major opposition candidates raffi hovannisian , hrant bagratyan unite around single opposition candidate. hayrikyan stated if postpone elections 14 days, still have chance propose common candidate, develop final points of pre-election projections , present ourselves in public ten more days unity. , in case, our common percentage reach not 70%, more—80%.

appeal constitutional court

despite previous statements, presidential candidate paruyr hayrikyan, shot on 31 january 2013, appealed court on 10 february 2013. aide stated ve applied constitutional court request postpone election 2 weeks due paruyr hayrikyan s health problems , fact can t campaign.

while filing request, hayrikyan stated in case raffi hovannisian , hrant bagratyan come , decide unite, take request back. in particular said should happen [the unification] right equal competition breached, compensated creation of united team. moreover, state avoid additional expenses , timetable of numerous observers not disrupted, otherwise obliged hold complete campaign during 2 weeks along other candidates’ participation. court make decision in 4 days. constitutional court must rule within 4 days on whether delay vote - decision largely depend on doctors evaluation of whether candidate enough campaign.

on 11 february 2013, however, hayrikyan took application form constitutional court of armenia.

attacks on journalists , reporters

several journalists physically attacked while reporting on electoral campaign. nobody prosecuted police, due lack of evidence .