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| An undated video grab shows Armenian presidential candidate Paruyr Hayrikyan at a hospital in Yerevan, capital of Armenia. Hayrikyan remains hospitalized following surgery after being shot in a failed assassination attempt, local media reported Friday. (Xinhua) |
YEREVAN, Feb. 1 (Xinhua) -- Armenian presidential candidate Paruyr Hayrikyan was in stable condtion after surgery for a gunshot wound suffered in a failed assassination attempt, officials said Friday.
Hayrikyan, who was shot near his home late Thursday, underwent successful surgery Friday to remove several bullets from his body, said St. Grigor Lusavorich Hospital in Yerevan.
The 63-year-old leader of the National Self-Determination Union was one of eight candidates in the Feb. 18 presidential vote. However, he was not considered a close rival for President Serzh Sargsyan, who is expected to win a second five-year term.
Parliament speaker Hovik Abramian, who visited Hayrikyan in the hospital, said in a short statement that the shooting "was an attack on the statehood of Armenia."
The speaker said that, according to the Armenian Constitution, the election could be postponed for two weeks in the case of "insurmountable obstacles" for one of the presidential candidates.
But Abramian said an election delay depends on Hayrikyan's condition.
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