Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05YEREVAN2045
2005-11-22 10:51:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Yerevan
Cable title:  

ARMENIA: TRANSFER OF CUSTODY OF L.A. MURDER

Tags:  KCRM ASEC CFED CPAS SOCI GG AM FBI 
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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 002045 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

TBILISI FOR LEGATT
FRANKFURT FOR DHS/BICE (JAY PINA)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KCRM ASEC CFED CPAS SOCI GG AM FBI
SUBJECT: ARMENIA: TRANSFER OF CUSTODY OF L.A. MURDER
FUGITIVE TO U.S. AUTHORITIES


Sensitive but unclassified, please treat accordingly.

Summary
-------

UNCLAS YEREVAN 002045

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

TBILISI FOR LEGATT
FRANKFURT FOR DHS/BICE (JAY PINA)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KCRM ASEC CFED CPAS SOCI GG AM FBI
SUBJECT: ARMENIA: TRANSFER OF CUSTODY OF L.A. MURDER
FUGITIVE TO U.S. AUTHORITIES


Sensitive but unclassified, please treat accordingly.

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


1. (SBU) On November 21, Armenian authorities transferred
fugitive suspect Akop Akopyan to U.S. custody. Akopyan, a
U.S. Permanent Resident but still an Armenian citizen, was
the prime suspect in a September 2000 gangland murder in Los
Angeles. The location, apprehension and eventual transfer of
custody was the result of extensive cooperation between the
Armenian National Security Service (NSS),California law
enforcement officers, LEGATT Tbilisi and post's own RSO and
Consular offices. The U.S. has no extradition treaty with
Armenia. Transfers of this sort are complicated and their
success is a manifestation of our strong relationship with
law enforcement here. Given the strengthening ties between
criminal groupings in the U.S. and Armenia, we suggest it may
be time to negotiate a more formal legal arrangement with
Armenia. End Summary.


2. (SBU) Post first learned of the Akopyan case during a
November 2004 visit by California law enforcement authorities
to Yerevan, Armenia. Akopyan a.k.a. "Skooby," was a member
of the Southern California based gang "Armenian Power."
Akopyan was implicated in the brutal murder of Garnik
Gadoyan, an Armenian Power gang member who was serving as a
potential witness in a murder trial of another gangland
slaying. Akopyan fled to Armenia following the murder.


3. (SBU) RSO pressed the Armenian authorities to search for
Akopyan and on August 12, 2005, the Armenian authorities
located and arrested him. Following a series of diplomatic
exchanges and meetings involving Emboffs, LEGATT and NSS
officials, the Armenian government agreed to transfer custody
of Akopyan to the U.S. In order that the transfer of custody
not violate Armenia's Constitution, Armenia's Prosecutor
General denaturalized Akopyan on November 18 and on November
19 the Armenian National Security Service (NSS) escorted
Akopyan from Yerevan, Armenia, to Vienna, Austria. Akopyan
was subsequently transferred to Washington D.C. by an
Austrian security officer and an NSS officer and was placed
under FBI custody based on a Federal Arrest Warrant for
Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution. Once in FBI custody,
Akopyan was transferred to Los Angeles to stand trial.

Comment: We Need a More Formal Mechanism
--------------


4. (SBU) This was a positive outcome. Armenian officials
recognized the importance the USG attached to this case and
found a way to transfer a dangerous fugitive to our custody,
even in the absence of an international legal mechanism.
While Armenian authorities recognize our appreciation for
their cooperation, they ask that we not publicize this
transfer as it could open the GOAM to opposition criticism
for what could easily be termed an extra-judicial transfer.
Our contacts at the NSS have informed us that they will only
consider requests for transfers similar to this one in the
most serious cases, those involving either terrorism or
murder charges. In the absence of a more formal
international agreement, Armenia's future cooperation will
continue to be dependent on good will and strong
relationships between law enforcement bodies. Our thanks to
LEGATT Tbilisi and LAPD for helping us make this happen.
EVANS