Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09YEREVAN664
2009-09-23 13:49:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Yerevan
Cable title:
AMBASSADOR RAISES REMAINING MARCH 1, 2008
how-toINFO LOG-00 EEB-00 AF-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 CIAE-00 INL-00 DEAE-00 DODE-00 DOEE-00 PERC-00 DS-00 EUR-00 OIGO-00 VCI-00 H-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 L-00 MOFM-00 MOF-00 M-00 VCIE-00 NRRC-00 NSAE-00 NSCE-00 OIC-00 PA-00 MCC-00 PM-00 PRS-00 P-00 SCT-00 FMPC-00 SP-00 SSO-00 SS-00 STR-00 TRSE-00 R-00 SCRS-00 PMB-00 DSCC-00 PRM-00 DRL-00 G-00 SCA-00 NFAT-00 SAS-00 FA-00 SWCI-00 PESU-00 /000W P 231349Z SEP 09 FM AMEMBASSY YEREVAN TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9519 INFO EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
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)
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
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