AMBASSADOR RAISES REMAINING MARCH 1, 2008

C O N F I D E N T I A L YEREVAN 000664 DEPT FOR EUR/CARC AND INL/AAE E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/16/2029 TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL KFIN SNAR AM SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR RAISES REMAINING MARCH 1, 2008 DETAINEES WITH PROSECUTOR GENERAL Classified By: Ambassador Marie L. Yovanovitch, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (U) The Ambassador joined Prosecutor General Agvan Hovsepian August 16 at the signing ceremony for amendments to the USG-GOAM Letter of Agreement on justice sector assistance. These amendments serve as an agreement on the projects to be implemented under the current year's budget for INL assistance to Armenia. At the ceremony, the Ambassador highlighted the progress made so far by Armenia in law enforcement modernization and reform, as well as the great deal of work that remains to be done. She especially emphasized strengthening of the rule of law as essential to democracy, security and prosperity. ¶2. (C) In a private meeting with Hovsepian after the ceremony, the Ambassador raised the cases of those arrested in connection with the disputed 2008 presidential election and postelection violence who did not qualify for the June 19 amnesty and who remain in prison. She also raised the case of one individual, Arshalus Hakobian, who reported election fraud during Yerevan's May 31 mayoral election and is being held on apparently politically motivated charges. Acknowledging that Armenian authorities must operate within the law, she asked Hovsepian to explore ways that the government might use to free these people and promote political reconciliation in the process. The Ambassador noted that the authorities have already released people convicted of vote fraud from the Yerevan mayoral election after almost no time behind bars, while they have kept some opposition figures jailed for almost 19 months on charges that appear politically motivated. Hovsepian replied that his office reviews each of these cases individually, and gave some details purporting to justify the sentences of a number of detainees, but it was unclear how many of these individuals were among the cases of concern raised by the Ambassador. Hovsepian committed to reviewing the case of Hakobian. Embassy will follow up with the PG's office. YOVANOVITCH