Raffi Hovannisian: I am sorry, Hrayr!
Talking to participants of today's rally in Yerevan's Freedom square, Heritage party leader Raffi Hovannisian, who is disputing the official results of the February 18 presidential election that gave victory to Serzh Sargsyan, said he would not take any step without consulting with people.
Speaking about the verdict of the Constitutional Court which rejected on Thursday the appeals of presidential candidates Raffi Hovannisian and Andrias Ghukasyan to annul the results of the presidential election, the Heritage leader said, "We have given the Court the last opportunity to bring in a genuinely constitutional verdict but the Court missed that opportunity. You know my character. I respect everybody, even my opponents, but in this case, I want to ask my friend [Justice Minister] Hrayr Tovmasyan, who is to defend the rights of all Armenians, why should he defend the rights of a candidate [Serzh Sargsyan] who does not have the vote of the people? I am sorry, Hrayr."
Raffi Hovannisian said his party will run in the upcoming City Council elections. "One of us, not me, will become Yerevan Mayor. On that day we shall be celebrating the victory of Armenian people," he said promising to reveal more details during the next rally.
Speaking about the statement of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin in which the latter condemned Hovannisian's hunger strike, saying it is not a means of political struggle, the Heritage leader said, "Let them pray, as I pray every day for Serzh Sargsyan and Armenian Catholicos. I am the son of the Armenian Apostolic Church, and they want to threaten me with the statement."
Raffi Hovannisian also informed the attendees that the next rally would be held next Friday. Different events are scheduled to be held in the square during the week.
