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02-01-2013, 08:22 AM
YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) — A longshot candidate for the Armenian presidency was shot in the chest by an unidentified gunman late Thursday, officials said. Paruir Airikian was hospitalized in stable condition as police searched for the shooter, while the speaker of Parliament suggested the election could be delayed.
Airikian was shot outside his house in the Armenian capital, Yerevan, just before midnight. A neighbor who heard gunshots and cries for help called the police.
Airikian is one of eight candidates in the Feb. 18 presidential vote, which incumbent Serge Sarkisian is expected to easily win. Recent opinion surveys show Airikian getting just over 1 percent of the vote.
Yerevan Clinical Hospital's chief doctor, Ara Minasian, confirmed that the 63-year-old Airikian was being treated for a single gunshot wound and remained in stable condition.
Eduard Sharmazanov, a deputy speaker of Parliament who is a member of the ruling Republican Party, described the attack on Airikian as a "provocation against democratic, free and transparent elections."
Armenian parliament speaker Ovik Abramian, who visited Airikian at the hospital, said the attack on the candidate could be an attempt to thwart the election. He said the vote could be postponed if Airikian's condition prevents him from taking part in the race, but the nation's election chief refused to comment on the possibility.
http://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2013/02/01/armenia-presidential-hopeful-shot-and-wounded
Airikian was shot outside his house in the Armenian capital, Yerevan, just before midnight. A neighbor who heard gunshots and cries for help called the police.
Airikian is one of eight candidates in the Feb. 18 presidential vote, which incumbent Serge Sarkisian is expected to easily win. Recent opinion surveys show Airikian getting just over 1 percent of the vote.
Yerevan Clinical Hospital's chief doctor, Ara Minasian, confirmed that the 63-year-old Airikian was being treated for a single gunshot wound and remained in stable condition.
Eduard Sharmazanov, a deputy speaker of Parliament who is a member of the ruling Republican Party, described the attack on Airikian as a "provocation against democratic, free and transparent elections."
Armenian parliament speaker Ovik Abramian, who visited Airikian at the hospital, said the attack on the candidate could be an attempt to thwart the election. He said the vote could be postponed if Airikian's condition prevents him from taking part in the race, but the nation's election chief refused to comment on the possibility.
http://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2013/02/01/armenia-presidential-hopeful-shot-and-wounded