ISRAEL HAKOBKOKHIAN CONTINUES TERMLESS HUNGER STRIKE

YEREVAN, MAY 19, NOYAN TAPAN. It is the third day since Israel
Hakobkokhian, candidate nominated by the majoritarian electoral system
at electoral district No 11, world boxing champion, went on a termless
hunger strike at the RA Central Electoral Commission. He demands that
the results of elections be recognized as invalid. According to him,
electoral violations were committed at the elections.

During a talk with NT correspondent, I. Hakobkokhian said that
various politicians also come to speak to him. "Leaders of almost all
parties have come to express their support. I told them that there is
no need to support me. They should unite and give up their ambitions
so that they together with the people will fulfil the fair demand of
the people."

Member of "Impeachment" bloc Nikol Pashinian who started a sit-down
strike three days ago (it is proceeding under the slogan of uniting by
the principle "1+1+1") has welcomed the hunger strike.

The ideological idea of I. Hakobkokhian is that the Armenian people
should not be classified by places of origin – those from Karabakh,
Yerevan, Gyumri, Syunik.

One of his purposes is to attract the attention of the Central
Electoral Commission (CEC) to his demand. In his words, the CEC
chairman Garegin Azarian visited him, advising him to dispute the
results of the elections in electoral district No 11 at the RA
Constitutional Court.

H. Hakobkokhian does not complain about his health. "My spiritual
state is strengthening with each hour," he assures, noting that he
gets charges for continuing his struggle from supporters –
passers-by. "Theis assistance makes me powerful," he said.

Human rights supporter, former Armenian ombudsperson Larisa Alaverdian
regularly visits I. Hakobkokhian, urging him to choose another form
of struggle. Representatives of the Red Cross came to him only
once. Instead, doctors from polyclinic No 4 take care of the health
condition of I. Hakobkokhian.