Hunger-striking candidate not allowed to move
Armenian presidential candidate Andrias Ghukasyan has decided to conserve his strength after staging a hunger strike in Yerevan for 18 days. On the advice of his doctor, the presidential candidate refuses to speak to journalists and answers only the calls of his family members.
The candidate's supporters are on a 24- hour duty near his tent. Doctors say that Ghukasyan feels better today than he was yesterday despite the low blood pressure which is measured several times a day.
"His blood pressure is 70/40. We measure it when the candidate permits it. We do not want to bother him frequently," said the doctor on duty Ida Alexanyan.
She added that Ghukasyan isn't allowed to move since it causes drastic decrease in blood pressure.
In the meantime, citizens continue visiting the presidential candidate to inquire about his health.
Pedagogue Greta Matevosyan had come to give her advice to the hunger-striking candidate but the doctor on duty did not allow her to approach Ghukasyan. "I am concerned with the young man's health condition irrespective of the fact whether he will be elected in the February 18 presidential election or not."
Andrias Ghukasian, one of the eight candidates in the Armenian presidential race, has been camped outside the National Academy of Sciences building in Yerevan since the start of the presidential campaign on January 21, 2013. He demands that incumbent President Serzh Sargsyan be barred from seeking re-election. Also, he demands that international observers leave Armenia.
