Preliminary investigation into Hayrikian case finished

The Investigation Department of the National Security Service at the Armenian government has finished the preliminary investigation into the criminal case opened in connection with the attempted murder of the ex-presidential candidate, leader of Union for National Self-determination (AIM) Paruyr Hayrikian. The prosecutor supervising the criminal case confirmed the indictment, according to the press service of the Prosecutor Generals’ Office.

According to actual data collected during the pre-trial investigation, in early January 2013 Vardan Sedrakian, a presidential candidate running in the 18 February 2013 presidential election in Armenia, told two men – S. Harutyunian and K. Poghosian to kill the leader of AIM Party Paruyr Hayrikian in order to stop his political activities.

V. Sedrakian gave money to Harutyunian and Poghosian for the purchase of a gun, but the two men did not spent the money to purchase a gun, but used an illegally obtained 7.62 Nagant revolver for committing the crime.

It was agreed that Poghosian was to commit the crime, while Harutyunian was to wait in a car.

Around 11:20 pm on January 31, 2013, Poghosian fired twice at Hayrikian near Hayrikian’s house and took to flight, unable to complete the crime due to circumstances over which he had no control.

Based on the evidence collected, Vardan Sedrakian is charged under Articles 38, 34, and 305 of the Criminal Code, K. Poghosian is charged under Articles 35, 305, and 235, and S. Harutyunian is charged under Articles 34 and 305.

The criminal case with the indictment has been sent to the court of first instance of Kentron and Nork-Marash administrative districts in Yerevan.