Two detained in Hayrikyan assassination attempt investigation, radio liberty reports

YEREVAN, February 8. /ARKA/. Two men have been detained in presidential nominee Paruyr Hayrikyan assassination attempt investigation, Armenian service of Radio Liberty reports referring to its sources. Both are Armenians, according to the information.

The national security service told ARKA Agency that the official information will be released later.

Hayrikyan, who is the leader of National Self-Detremination party and a well known Soviet-time dissident, was shot in his shoulder at the center of Yerevan on January 31, around 23:30. Criminal prosecution was brought under Penal Code articles 34-305 (assassination attempt on a statesman, a political or a public figure for the purpose of ceasing his activities). A joint group of the police and the national security service staffs was set up for investigation. The case comes under the jurisdiction of the national security service.

Hayrikyan himself said he could recognize the working style of a foreign intelligence service having pursued him for long years. -0-