12:59, 21 May 2008

Chairman of Helsinki Association attacked in Armenia

Today, in the Teryan Street of Yerevan, an unknown person made a shot from a gas pistol at Michael Danielyan, Chairman of the Helsinki Association of Armenia.

According to eyewitnesses, the car with Michael Danielyan stopped at the street traffic lights against the red light. A BMW car behind it started beeping incessantly. Mr Danielyan went out of the car to ask what the matter was. At the same time, a young man got out of the BMW and made a shot at the breast of the human rights activist from a gas pistol.

Despite the wound, Danielyan was brought to the police before the ambulance came. Apparently, the injury received by the human rights activist is not serious, as the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports.

According to an oppositional source, the human rights activist was attacked Tigran Urikhanyan, former leader of the pro-governmental Progressive Party, who is known for his hostility to opposition and human rights activists, as well as extravagant behaviour and statements. According to certain data, he was also brought to the police.

Author: Lilit Ovanisyan, CK correspondent