ARMENIA: COPERATING ON LAW ENFORCEMENT, ONE CASE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 YEREVAN 002550

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPARTMENT FOR DS/CIL, EUR/ACE AND EUR/CACEN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KJUS KCRM AM
SUBJECT: ARMENIA: COPERATING ON LAW ENFORCEMENT, ONE CASE
AT A TIME

Information is sensitive but unclassified. Please treat
accordingly.

Summary
--------------


1. (SBU) Despite the absence of formal legal instruments
regulating law enforcement cooperation between the U.S. and
Armenia, cooperation with the GOAM on specific cases has
produced positive results. From working on child pornography
cases to tracking down, arresting and transferring fugitive
murder suspects to seizing assets, Armenian officials have
demonstrated they are ready to help us. This relationship
results from active engagement by Embassy officials,
especially by the RSO, concrete, targeted assistance
projects funded by INL and others, but also from Armenia's
generally positive view of the U.S. as a partner, if not
always an ally. We will look to build on these successes and
to institutionalize some aspects of our cooperation. End
Summary.


2. (SBU) As a rule, Armenia's law enforcement organizations
are in bad shape. Weak democratic institutions, lack of
resources, poorly-motivated, poorly-trained personnel and, of
course, corruption, are factors limiting their performance.
Together with other donors, U.S. assistance programs are
working to address this shortcoming and have achieved some
measure of success. Training, assistance in reforming
legislation and equipment continue to be our priorities. A
by-product of this engagement is a constructive relationship
with Armenia's law enforcement agencies and also a positive
general attitude toward the U.S. Our relationships with the
National Security Service (NSS) and with the office of
Armenia's Prosecutor General have been the most productive.
This cable highlights some of our recent efforts.

Child Pornography Case
--------------


3. (SBU) In November 2002, we worked with the NSS to
investigate Armenia's first internet child pornography case.
The lead in this investigation originated from Illinois via
U.S. Customs agents in Chicago. The main Armenian suspect
was employed at the Armenian telecom company and was arrested
with hundreds of CDs of pornography at his residence.
Because of a shortcoming in Armenian law, the suspect escaped
prosecution, but a ring to distribute material beyond Armenia
was broken.

Fugitive Murder Suspect Detained and Transferred
-------------- ---


4. (SBU) The RSO used a June 2003 visit by the Ambassador to
Glendale, California (where many Armenian emigrants have
settled) to develop close professional ties with local- and
federal-level law enforcement authorities there. This
investment continues to pay dividends. In February 2004,
Glendale PD learned that an ethnic Armenian murder suspect
fled the U.S. for Armenia. Despite the absence of a Mutual
Legal Assistance Treaty or an Extradition Treaty, Glendale PD
and the RSO worked with the NSS to conduct wiretaps (both in
the U.S. and in Armenia). The suspect was returned to the
U.S. for trial.

Alien Smuggler Sting
--------------


5. (SBU) In June 2004, the NSS, working with DHS/ICE Long
Beach and the RSO carried out a successful sting operation
against an Armenian-American alien smuggler. After NSS
surveillance and wiretaps, the smuggler was arrested at the
Yerevan airport while trying to bribe a border guard. The
subject is now on trial in Armenia, but the DHS investigation
into related activities continues.

Cocaine Bust
--------------


6. (SBU) In July 2004, the NSS arrested an Armenian national
attempting to smuggle cocaine into Russia. Investigation
revealed that there have been previous shipments of cocaine
with different "mules." DEA/Istanbul and NSS are continuing
to cooperate on the investigation as it appears that Armenian
groups in the Los Angeles area may be the source of the drugs.

Fraudulent Bank Transfer Frozen
--------------


7. (SBU) In August 2004, U.S. Secret Service notified post
that a fraudulent wire transfer had been sent from a bank in
Southern California to a recipient in Armenia. Although part
of the fraudulently transferred funds were released by the
local bank, prompt action by post with the NSS and the
Central Bank of Armenia prevented the release of the
remaining USD 275,000. Based on information provided by the
U.S. Secret Service, Armenia's Prosecutor initiated a
criminal case against the suspect, who remains in custody
while the investigation is ongoing.

Vehicular Homicide Suspect Will Face Justice in U.S.
-------------- --------------


8. (SBU) In October 2004, post took advantage of an
INL-funded training course on crime scene investigation
taught by Glendale, California detectives to follow up on
several open cases. One such case involved a suspect in a
vehicular homicide who fled the U.S. Glendale PD detectives,
working with the RSO and the NSS, located the suspect. With
the assent of Armenia's Prosecutor General, the suspect was
arrested and was deported from Armenia on November 9 in the
custody of an FBI agent and an LAPD detective.

Comment
--------------


9. (SBU) Our engagement with Armenia's law enforcement
organizations is producing results, but we look to move
beyond the ad hoc nature of this relationship. Considering
the size of the Armenian Diaspora in the U.S. and the
enduring ties between some elements of that community and
Armenia, it may now be time to consider more formal bilateral
arrangements to regulate our legal cooperation.
EVANS