Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04YEREVAN1089
2004-05-05 13:24:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Yerevan
Cable title:  

NO PROGRESS IN INVESTIGATION OF HIGH-PROFILE

Tags:  PGOV PREL AM 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS YEREVAN 001089 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR EUR/CACEN-ESIDEREAS, DRL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL AM
SUBJECT: NO PROGRESS IN INVESTIGATION OF HIGH-PROFILE
CASES OF VIOLENCE REPORTED


UNCLAS YEREVAN 001089

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR EUR/CACEN-ESIDEREAS, DRL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL AM
SUBJECT: NO PROGRESS IN INVESTIGATION OF HIGH-PROFILE
CASES OF VIOLENCE REPORTED



1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified, protect accordingly.

--------------
SUMMARY
--------------


2. (SBU) At his May 4 press conference Procurator
General (PG) Aghvan Hovsepian admitted that they had as
yet made no significant progress in the investigation
of several high-profile cases of violence against
journalists, a human rights activist, and a prominent
opposition politician. Hovsepian also announced the
establishment of a special department to combat
government corruption. End summary.

--------------
NO PROGRESS IN HIGH-PROFILE INVESTIGATIONS
--------------


3. (SBU) PG Hovsepian's May 4 press conference was
arranged to announce the establishment of a special
anti-corruption division. Journalists, however, showed
more interest in the status of the investigations of
several high-profile cases, including the March 5
incident during an opposition rally when several well-
muscled men attacked a group of journalists and smashed
their cameras. Journalists also demanded follow-up on
the attacks on prominent human rights activist Mikael
Danielian and opposition politician Ashot Manucharian.
Both Danielian and Manucharian were hospitalized as a
result of these attacks; Danielian suffered from
concussion while Manucharian underwent maxillofacial
surgery. Hovsepian admitted there were no suspects or
detainees for any of these cases despite the fact that
journalists published photos of their assailants in
almost every newspaper. According to Hovsepian, "just
a picture is not enough." Also, Hovsepian complained
about Danielian's "unwillingness to cooperate" with law
enforcement and referred to him slightingly as a "grant
eater."

--------------
NEW ANTI-CORRUPTION DEPARTMENT ESTABLISHED
--------------


4. (U) Hovsepian also announced the establishment of a
special department within the Procurator General's
office to combat government corruption. According to
Hovsepian, the department's regulatory powers will be
clarified over the next ten days, however, there will
be no new employees hired. The new department will
work undercover to reveal and/or prevent corruption in
the judicial, tax and customs agencies, as well as the
procuracy.
ORDWAY