Former Armenian presidential candidate Raffi Hovannisian he started a hunger strike in Yerevan's Freedom square, demanding a rerun of the recent presidential election, today explained the reasons for rejecting Serzh Sargsyan's invitation to a meeting.
"If he (Serzh Sargsyan) has something to say, he can come here [to Feedom square] and talk to me. I shall respectfully listen to his offers," Mr Hovannisian told A1+.
Addressing hundreds of his supporters at a rally in Freedom square on Sunday, leader of the opposition Heritage Party said, "If Serzh Sargsyan doesn't agree to step down and acknowledge the victory of Armenian people, if he and Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II desecrate the Bible with a false oath on April 9, they will do it over my dead body. So, unless Sargsyan announces his resignation, I will stay in the square and will not eat. This is not just a hunger strike, but a boycott against lies and fraud."
However, Mr Hovannisian does not have the answer to the question what obstacles can hinder Serzh Sargsyan from becoming president on his corpse, given the fact that in 2008, Serzh Sargsyan came to power over the dead bodies of ten people.
"You had better address the question to him (Serzh Sargsyan)," was Hovannisian's reply.
Mr Hovannisian says he does not want to see blood in his struggle but if Serzh Sargsyan decides to desecrate the Bible and Constitution with a false inauguration on April 9, they will have to do it over the dead body of an opposition figure.
"This is not an ultimatum, nor a threat. This is the truth and out people should be able to see that I am ready for everything, including sacrifice, for the victory of our people," he said.
While Raffi Hovannisian regrets that his party did not participate in the previous municipal elections in Yerevan he is not going to run in the upcoming municipal election though he is not against his party's involvement in the race.
The Heritage party leader says Serzh Sargsyan has been considered illegitimate president after the 2008 presidential election.
"There was to be a presidential run-off and I told this personally to Levon-Ter-Petrosyan [who was challenging Serzh Sargsyan in the 2008 presidential election]," said Mr Hovannisian.
In conclusion, Raffi Hovannisian said that we shall have a new Armenia on April 9.
