Vardan Sedrakian: I had no personal feud with Hayrikian

Vardan Sedrakian, a defendant in the ex-presidential candidate Paruyr Hayrikain attempted murder case, testified today in the court of general jurisdiction of Yerevan’s Kentron and Nork-Marash communities.

Sedrakian informed those present how he had nominated himself as a candidate in the February 18, 2013 presidential elections in Armenia. In his words, he learned about Hayrikian’s shooting while watching TV.

“I considered it my duty to visit him in the hospital. Reporters and political figures were there, but I was allowed to enter his ward. But at the door, I was told that Hayrikian took a medicine to go to sleep. I have nothing to do with the case, and I also said that during preliminary investigation. I want to remind the court that there was one testimony against me and Samvel Harutyunian later retracted his testimony. I ask you to change the measure of restrain and release me on bail or on my recognizance,” Sedrakian said.

According to him, there is nothing strange about the fact that Harutyunian called him 23 days before the incident. “My meetings with him were part of relations between an employer and an employee. I ask you to change the measure of restraint,” Sedrakian stated.

“I had no personal feud with Paruyr Hayrikian, and if a miracle had occurred, I would have passed the 5% threshold. I had no motives,” Sedrakian declared.

Sedrakian’s lawyer – Alexander Sirunian submitted a petition to the court for using bail (in the form of immovable property) as a measure of restraint.

“We have a certificate by the medical service of the penal institution that he has chronic hepatitis. Sedrakian has a stable family and two minor children,” the lawyer said.

Two other defendants, Khachatur Poghosian and Samvel Harutyunian, asked for time for their testimonies. The court granted the petition. The next court hearing will be held on June 20.

Let us remind you that former presidential candidate Vardan Sedrakian has been sentenced by the court to two month preliminary arrest. He is charged with organizing the attempted murder of another presidential candidate, AIM Party leader Paruyr Hayrikian.