Candidate from Prosperous Armenia Party says he will refuse to accept his nomination, if Sasna Tsrer group member Araik Khanodyan runs for self-government

ArmInfo. Prosperous Armenia Party says its candidate Ashot Hakobyan will refuse to accept his nomination, if Sasna Tsrer group member Araik Khanodyan, who is currently under arrest, runs for the self-government in Tsaghkahovik community, the Prosperous Armenia Party's press-office told ArmInfo.  

It was reported earlier that Araik Khandoryan (aka Lonely Wolf), an arrested member of Sasna Tsrer group, seeks to run for the local self-government this autumn, according to his lawyer. 

He left a post on Facebook social media through his lawyer saying:  "It is for a second day already that the administration of the Nubarashen penitentiary and Special Investigation Service of Armenia have been rejecting my letter of authority that will let my authorized person to nominate me at the upcoming local self-government elections in Tsakhahovit community. The deadline for 
nomination is August 19, 6:00pm. I declare that along with illegal persecutions against me, the authorities make another unlawful step by not letting me to exercise my electoral rights."

In his words, it is senseless to make any demands to the authorities that operate beyond law. "The incumbent authorities that violate human rights every day have no right to government the Free, Independent, and Democratic Armenia," Khanodyan writes.

Arayik Khandoyan is charged with Article 218 part 3.1 (hostage taking) and Article 235 Part 3 (Illegal procurement, transportation or carrying of weapons, ammunition, explosives or explosive devices).