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