Leader of the Union for National
Self-Determination Party Paruyr Hayrikian thinks the court verdict against
former candidate for president Vardan Sedrakyan is light for organizing an
assassination attempt against him. Talking to ArmInfo, Hayrikian said that 14
years in prison is a very light sentence, but he is not holding a grudge
"the more so as Sedrakyan has not ordered the attempt on my life."
He said that the court has not exposed all the
circumstances of the case and left unpunished the person who is behind that
assassination attempt.
"The court rejected the petition for
interrogation of a citizen of Russia who sent $100,000 to Sedrakyan. This means that the judicial system is not
independent," Hayrikian said.
From the very beginning of the assassination attempt
against him, Hayrikian has seen "a Russian trace" in that incident. He
demanded the court to summon and interrogate the citizen of Russia who sent
money to Sedrakyan. However, the court rejected his petition.
Former candidate for president of Armenia, folklorist
Vardan Sedrakyan has been sentenced to 14 years in prison on 23 September.
According to ArmInfo's correspondent, two other
defendants, Khachik Poghosyan and Samvel Haroutiunyan, received 14 and 12 years
in prison, respectively.
To recall, Vardan Sedrakyan is charged with
organization of the assassination attempt against Paruyr Hayrikian, former
candidate for president. A criminal case was initiated on Article 34-305 of the
Criminal Code of Armenia (assassination attempt against a statesman, political
figure or public worker in order to stop his activity).
The case was in charge of the National Security
Service. On Feb 8 the National Security Service of Armenia detained two men:
Khachatur Poghosyan (1966) and Samvel Haroutiunyan (1972), who have already
pled guilty. Sedrakyan, however, does not plead guilty.