By Emil Danielyan
Prime Minister Andranik Markarian, who has a history of heart problems, will leave for Moscow on Tuesday to undergo medical tests in one of the local clinics, the Armenian government’s press office announced on Monday. In a statement, it said the one-week medical examination will have a “general” character. The statement did not specify whether he is suffering from a particular ailment at the moment. It said only that Minister for Local Government Hovik Abrahamian, the unofficial number two figure in the Armenian cabinet, will perform prime ministerial duties until Markarian’s return on November 18.
One informed source said Markarian will have a heart-related check-up in the Russian capital. The 52-year-old premier, who has visible trouble breathing, had undergone a heart surgery in Yerevan four years ago and spent about two weeks in France last year for an intensive cardiac therapy. The source said he will get similar treatment in Moscow.
(Photolur photo)