MURDER SUSPECT RE-ELECTED AS TOWN MAYOR

UNCLAS YEREVAN 001842

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR DRL AND EUR/CACEN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL AM
SUBJECT: MURDER SUSPECT RE-ELECTED AS TOWN MAYOR



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

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MURDER CHARGES DON'T DISSUADE VOTERS...
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2. (SBU) The campaign for mayor of the town of Nor Hajn
(about 20 minutes outside of Yerevan in the Kotayk
region) took a bizarre turn when the incumbent, Armen
Keshishyan, shot dead his friend-turned rival. Because
Keshishyan had not gone to trial before the election --
held on October 9 -- his name was not removed from the
ballot. Voters were evidently not dissuaded by
Keshishyan's actions and re-elected him, even though he
was in custody on the day of the ballot. At the time
of the shooting -- which took place in broad daylight
in front of witnesses -- Keshishyan was arguing with
his rival about pork-barrel projects with which the
mayor could not compete. While there were reports of
some electoral violations during last week's balloting,
the local branch of the election watchdog NGO "It's
Your Choice" told us that the voting was mostly fair.
Government contacts confirmed to us that Keshishyan's
opponent did not contest the results to Armenia's
Central Electoral Commission.

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...EVEN WHEN THE SMOKING GUN IS FROM THE PM
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3. (SBU) Local media seized on the story not only
because of Keshisyan's involvement in the bizarre
murder story but because of claims that the murder
weapon was a gift from Armenian Prime Minister Andranik
Markarian. An unidentified representative of the Prime
Minister's office later reportedly confirmed to the
media that Markarian often gives guns as gifts to close
friends and that he had distributed over 500 such
weapons during his ten years in office.

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COMMENT: FROM MAYOR'S OFFICE TO JAIL CELL?
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3. (SBU) Comment: This latest example of political
passions running wild in Armenia's regions comes at a
precarious time for Armenia. GOAM authorities are
facing heavy pressure to demonstrate mature democratic
institutions during upcoming local elections later this
month, the much-anticipated November 27 constitutional
referendum and the 2007 (parliamentary) and 2008
(presidential) elections. Armenian legislation allows
a criminal suspect to run for public office but
requires resignation if found guilty. The public and
donor community will be watching carefully to see how
the courts handle Keshishyan's case.
EVANS