Paruyr Hayrikyan Begins Hunger Strike

The leader of the Union for National Self-Determination party, Paruyr Hayrikyan began a hunger strike on September 7. He is demanding the resignation of President Serzh Sargsyan.

Hayrikyan told CivilNet that the current authorities of Armenia, including Serzh Sargsyan have failed in the country’s most important spheres, in particular in their foreign policy. Hayrikyan said that if after three days, the president does not submit his resignation, then he will continue his hunger strike in the “traditional” way. “Every day, from 17:00-18:00 hours, I will be in front of the Presidential palace, waiting for Serzh Sargsyan’s resignation. The rest of the time, I will be in an Armenian monastery, praying for the Lord to give our authorities that which they have so far been lacking,” Hayrikyan said, adding that the Lord knows what they are lacking.

Hayrikyan also announced that he will be holding a rally on September 8 at 16:00 at Liberty Square, where he will address his supporters.

On January 31, 2013, Paruyr Hayrikyan was the victim of an assassination attempt as he was returning home. Based on the evidence gathered from investigators, ethnologist and former presidential candidate Vardan Sedrakyan was charged, convicted and imprisoned for 14 years for his involvement in the assassination attempt.