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  • Nairobi: Kicked out

    Kenya Times, Kenya
    June 10 2006

    Kicked out


    By MAXWELL MASAVA

    THE two Armenian brothers at the centre of the mercenaries saga were
    arrested in the wee hours of yesterday morning and later deported
    after a night of high drama in which they drew their guns at the Jomo
    Kenyatta International Airport.

    The two--Artur Margaryan and Artur Sagasyan and two others--were last
    evening driven to the airport under tight security and ostensibly
    deported to Dubai after spending eight hours in police cells.

    Consequently, the government declared the Artur brothers and the
    other two identified as Arman Damidri and Alexander Tashchi persona
    non grata in the country. A police statement said this followed a
    serious breach of airport security by the four. `At a time of
    enhanced aviation security all over the world, incidents that
    compromise security at international airports can neither be
    tolerated nor taken for granted. The government has declared their
    continued presence in the country undesirable and ordered their
    immediate deportation', said the statement.

    Official opposition leader Uhuru Kenyatta, Liberal Democratic Party
    Secretary-General Joseph Kamotho and Kabete MP Paul Muite questioned
    why the government was in a hurry to deport the Armenians.

    The three said there was an ill motive and wondered what the
    government was hiding in sending the Armenians away before they were
    charged in court to face justice. The MPs said Kenyans demanded
    thorough investigations into the Armenians' saga because their
    conduct was suspect since their arrival in the country sometimes
    back.

    At the same time, the Commandant of Kenya Airport Police Unit
    Beatrice Nduta and some senior officers were transferred following
    the glaring security lapse witnessed at the airport on Thursday
    night. Before the deportation, Margaryan claimed the action was
    politically motivated and claimed that Lang'ata MP Raila Odinga had a
    hand in it. Odinga is, however, away on an official trip to Korea.
    Margaryan further denied ever drawing a gun at the airport noting
    that police officers had not recorded any statements from them.

    The night-long drama that sounded like fiction all began at 8pm on
    Thursday when the younger Margaryan, in the company of six bodyguards
    arrived at the airport to receive his elder brother, Sagasyan,
    allegedly arriving from Dubai. While at the airport, the Arturs
    blocked attempts by Customs officers to inspect the luggage the elder
    one had arrived with. An argument ensued with the Arturs threatening
    the officers with dire consequences for frustrating and intimidating
    them.

    Things got out of hand when the towering and angry Sagasyan, slapped
    one of the officers who retaliated in defence drawing the ire of the
    heavily built Arturs.

    Stung by the reaction, Margaryan drew a pistol, threatening to shoot
    all government officers on sight as the bodyguards joined the fiasco,
    reigning blows and kicks on the Customs officials.

    The two Armenians consistently threatened to call in a Ms Winnie,
    whom they claimed to be the daughter of a popular Narc activist.

    Police officers who tried to come to their aid were shocked to see
    the Armenians pointing pistols at them and threatening disciplinary
    measures in the event of any reaction.

    In the ensuing confusion, the Arturs and their bodyguards, grabbed
    the baggage at the centre of the controversy and speedily dashed for
    their two cars, a Volvo and Pick-Up in the parking yard amid calls
    for reinforcement by security personnel who were at the scene.

    Contents of the laggages remained unknown although the police claimed
    it contained CCTV cameras and some electronic gadgets.

    About three hours later, Police Commissioner Hussein Ali instructed
    Flying Squad officers to arrest the Armenians together with their
    companies. A quickly assembled team arrived at their palatial Runda
    residence armed to the teeth.

    Earth movers were brought in to bring down the gates and doors after
    the foreigners defied orders and pleas by security officers to open
    the gate and surrender unconditionally, and instead they switched off
    all lights and retired to bed. Surprisingly, their dogs did not bark
    at all, an indication that they could have been `police dogs'.

    A furious Margaryan, emerged on the balcony and threatened to shoot
    dead officers who dared to move near the house. Pleas by the Gigiri
    OCPD Patrick Lumumba for the Arturs to open the door fell on deaf
    ears. He once again invoked the name of Winnie to scare off the
    officers.

    It was only after the officers threatened to pull down the structures
    that Margaryan, agreed to open the door. He was immediately subdued,
    handcuffed as the officers entered into the luxurious house for his
    colleagues. They arrested two Caucasians, a women of mixed race, a
    Ghanaian and a Tanzanian. A four hour operation had eventually borne
    fruits.

    During the raid, eleven luxurious cars were found within the home.
    Some had government, diplomatic and civilian number plates while five
    had no registration number plates.

    The vehicles found in the compound included KAU 883Y (Toyota), KAL
    325 X (Blue Pajero), Subaru Legacy (no registration), GK A 666Q (grey
    Mercedes Benz), KAV 777N (silver BMW), KAN 272 Y (white Mercedes
    Benz), KAU 666Q (grey Subaru), KAV 578 N (Toyota Corolla), a B-12762
    UAE 9 (Toyota Harrier), an unregistered Toyota Mark II and three
    unregistered silver Toyota Harriers.

    Other items recovered in the house included two AK47assault riffles,
    three pistols, 100 rounds of ammunition, silencer, automatic pistols,
    snipper pistols, chemicals such as cyanide, military uniforms,
    pangas, bullet proof vests, pistol holsters and uniforms worn by
    officers from the Quick Response Unit (QRU).

    During the raid one of the accomplices named only as Tarik is
    reported to have escaped police dragnet by jumping over the fence.

    The Arturs and companions were held at Kileleshwa, Gigiri, Spring
    Valley, Parklands and Muthaiga police cells, from where they were
    removed at around 2pm, under tight security and driven to their Runda
    residence and asked to pack their belongings. By last evening the
    government remained tight lipped on the issue, with Internal Security
    Minister John Michuki said to be out of office. Government Spokesman
    Dr Alfred Mutua referred us to the police whom he said were handling
    the matter.
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