EXPLOSIVE DEVICE DESTROYS VEHICLE OF TOP GOAM

UNCLAS YEREVAN 000524

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR EUR/CACEN, EUR/ACE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ASEC AM
SUBJECT: EXPLOSIVE DEVICE DESTROYS VEHICLE OF TOP GOAM
CUSTOMS OFFICIAL


1. (U) Local press reported March 24 that an explosive
device went off in front of the Armenian State Customs
committee building at 10:00 a.m. local time, damaging the
official vehicle of the Committee Chairman Armen Avetisyan.
Avetisyan had already left the car and had entered the
building by the time of the explosion. The blast injured
his driver and assistant. According to the local and
Russian media (who picked up the story quickly),an unknown
device was placed in the hollow of a tree near the building
when it detonated. The blast did not cause major damage.


2. (U) In preliminary statements, representatives of the
Customs Committee's press service commented that the
incident could be related to what they characterized as the
State Customs Committee's "active fight against the shadow
economy" and a recently "tightened customs regime." Press
sources reported that the Prosecutor's Office has already
opened its investigation. According to Armenia's Criminal
Code, acts aimed at "assassination of a state, political of
public figure with a purpose to terminate the activity of
the latter" carry a penalty of 10-15 years or life.


3. (SBU) Avetisyan is an influential figure in Armenian
society and sits on the U.S.-Armenia Task Force (USATF). He
has been the object of criticism by local journalists who
ran pictures of his "official" BMW 745 during a press
campaign last summer alleging abuse of power and conspicuous
consumption on the part of GOAM officials. A January
announcement by President Robert Kocharian of a new push to
tighten customs regimes in Armenia sparked speculation that
Avetisyan may be on the outs with some "business" groups.
EVANS