Hayrikian dissatisfied with authorities’ handling of his assassination case
24.09.2013,
14:55
Former presidential candidate Paruyr Hayrikian said today he was dissatisfied with Armenian law-enforcement authorities’ handling of a case involving another presidential candidate, Vartan Sedrakian, who was sentenced to 14 years in prison on Monday for allegedly plotting to assassinate him.
YEREVAN, September 24. / ARKA /. Former presidential candidate Paruyr Hayrikian said today he was dissatisfied with Armenian law-enforcement authorities’ handling of a case involving another presidential candidate, Vartan Sedrakian, who was sentenced to 14 years in prison on Monday for allegedly plotting to assassinate him.
A Yerevan court also sentenced Khachatur Poghosian and Samvel Harutiunian, the two other men arrested following the January 31 attack on Hayrikian, to 14 and 12 years in prison respectively.
Poghosian was convicted of shooting and wounding Hayrikian, a prominent Soviet-era dissident and head of the National Self-Determination minor political party. The court endorsed prosecutors’ claim that both men were hired by Sedrakian to kill Hayrikian. The court refused to consider a claim by Hayrikyan who demanded financial compensation.
"I am disappointed with the outcome of the investigation and the trial, as the authorities failed to identify the real mastermind of the assassination. It is not clear where from these men could get $100 thousand," Hairikyan said today at a news conference. He added that he was not going to demand a revision of the sentence and tougher terms for the guilty. Hayrikian said his potential future moves would be aimed at disclosing the source of the money. He claimed that the real mastermind is in Russia.
"That shot was actually the first serious step in the process of making Armenia join the Russia-led Customs Union.’ he argued.
The assassination attempt on Hayrikyan occurred on January 31. He received a gunshot wound in the shoulder area . Khachatur Poghosian, born in 1966 and Samvel Harutiunian, born in 1972, were arrested February 7 . Later, both pleaded guilty. The gun that was used to shoot at Hayrikian was found at Poghosian’s house. -0-
A Yerevan court also sentenced Khachatur Poghosian and Samvel Harutiunian, the two other men arrested following the January 31 attack on Hayrikian, to 14 and 12 years in prison respectively.
Poghosian was convicted of shooting and wounding Hayrikian, a prominent Soviet-era dissident and head of the National Self-Determination minor political party. The court endorsed prosecutors’ claim that both men were hired by Sedrakian to kill Hayrikian. The court refused to consider a claim by Hayrikyan who demanded financial compensation.
"I am disappointed with the outcome of the investigation and the trial, as the authorities failed to identify the real mastermind of the assassination. It is not clear where from these men could get $100 thousand," Hairikyan said today at a news conference. He added that he was not going to demand a revision of the sentence and tougher terms for the guilty. Hayrikian said his potential future moves would be aimed at disclosing the source of the money. He claimed that the real mastermind is in Russia.
"That shot was actually the first serious step in the process of making Armenia join the Russia-led Customs Union.’ he argued.
The assassination attempt on Hayrikyan occurred on January 31. He received a gunshot wound in the shoulder area . Khachatur Poghosian, born in 1966 and Samvel Harutiunian, born in 1972, were arrested February 7 . Later, both pleaded guilty. The gun that was used to shoot at Hayrikian was found at Poghosian’s house. -0-
