Candidate for presidency of Armenia Andreas Gukasyan refused to suspend hunger strike

Candidate for presidency of Armenia Andreas Gukasyan declined a request of another participant of the presidential election Paruir Airikyan to stop hunger strike and declared readiness to continue his action.

On January, 15, Andreas Gukasyan issued a statement running that in case of refusal to withdraw the incumbent President Serzh Sargsyan’s candidacy from the election he would start an open-ended hunger strike. Central Election Committee dismissed Gukasyan’s request. Since January, 21, Gukasyan has been holding a hunger strike in front of National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia. On January, 29, Chairman of “National Self-determination” association Paruir Airikyan called for Andreas Gukasyan to stop hunger strike. Airikyan reminded that he himself held a three-day hunger strike as a sign of solidarity with Gukasyan during which he did not suspend other actions within the framework of the canvassing campaign.  

One who goes on a hunger strike must realize that one has no right to deviate from the appointed goal, Andreas Gukasyan told the “Caucasian Knot” correspondent.

Candidate for presidency Gukasyan considers that a hunger strike is a form of enforcement that will launch a number of political and social mechanisms. He expects the Arminian and international communities to demonstrate their reaction.