WESTERN OBSERVER CONFIRMS GOVERNMENT ACCOUNT OF

C O N F I D E N T I A L YEREVAN 000960 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/CACEN; DRL E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/23/2014 TAGS: PGOV PHUM AM SUBJECT: WESTERN OBSERVER CONFIRMS GOVERNMENT ACCOUNT OF PARLIAMENT GUNMAN'S SUICIDE Classified By: DCM Vivian Walker for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d) ¶1. (SBU) Vram Galstyan, serving a life sentence for his role in the October 1999 National Assembly killings, committed suicide in a Yerevan prison April 16. The Justice Ministry announced that Galstyan hanged himself shortly after prison guards granted his request to be transferred to solitary confinement. The Ministry reported that Galstyan had attempted suicide on several other occasions and was mentally ill. ¶2. (C) The Justice Ministry allowed an outside observation team to investigate the suicide. The director of a respected Western organization told us that his organization's medical director viewed the cell and Galstyan's body as part of the team, and reported that all evidence confirmed the government's account. ORDWAY