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FROM GLENDALE TO YEREVAN: THE LAW WILL HUNT YOU DOWN
Armenian Weekly
Tue, Sep 6 2011
GLENDALE, Calif. (A.W.)-Murder suspects, burglars, cyber criminals,
and organized crime members may run, but the law has far-reaching
tentacles. As a recently released U.S. Embassy cable reveals,
cooperation between U.S. law enforcement agents and Armenia's
detectives has increased, and a number of fugitives from the U.S. have
been arrested, indicted, and sentenced in Armenia, and in some cases
flown back to face the law in the U.S.
As a recently released U.S. Embassy cable reveals, cooperation between
U.S. law enforcement agents and Armenia's detectives has increased.
The largest obstacle has been the language barrier, and a lack of
translators. Despite that hindrance, investigators from both countries
have successfully cooperated on a number of cases. In one instance,
detectives from the Glendale Police Department traveled to Yerevan to
be present at the trial of a man accused of murdering his girlfriend.
The cable was authored by U.S. Embassy Charge d'Affaires Anthony
Godfrey. It is dated Jan. 19, 2007, and titled "Armenia: Law
Enforcement Cooperation with U.S. Continues to Improve."
The full text of the U.S. Embassy cable is below.
***
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ASEC SOCI PINS AM
SUBJECT: ARMENIA: LAW ENFORCEMENT COOPERATION WITH U.S. CONTINUES
TO IMPROVE
Sensitive but Unclassified. Please Treat Accordingly. Not for Internet.
Summary
-~W-
¶1. (SBU) Law enforcement cooperation with Armenia continued to improve
in 2006, with concrete key successes despite a complex environment
and the lack of a formal bilateral legal framework.
Fugitive investigations continued to be the most fruitful
area of cooperation, but GOAM cooperation in an ongoing major
international cyber crime case was also important. Five fugitives from
U.S. justice were arrested in Armenia, and two were transferred to
U.S. custody to face trial. Two fugitives were indicted in Armenia
on U.S. murder charges; one case resulted in conviction while the
other is still pending. Information provided by the GOAM helps to
advance investigations into Eurasian organized crime groups based in
Southern California. U.S. cooperation resulted in the apprehension
and deportation to Armenia of fugitives sought by Armenian authorities.
Key Armenian institutions working with USG officials are the Prosecutor
General's office (PG), the National Security Service (NSS) and the
Armenian police. Lack of resources to manage speedy translation
of U.S. evidentiary documents is a hindrance, as is the lack of a
full-time LEGATT in Yerevan, but we expect this level of cooperation
to continue. End Summary.
¶2. (SBU) One of the few negative consequences of strong links between
the Armenian community in the U.S. and their ethnic homeland is that
criminals seek to exploit the absence of institutionalized bilateral
law enforcement cooperation to avoid justice. Through the efforts of
various U.S. and Armenian organizations, we are working to make this
more difficult, and to ensure that the long arm of the law reaches
all the way from Glendale, California to Yerevan and back again. On
the U.S. side, we are fortunate to have well-established cooperation,
now led by our Legal Attache Office (based in Tbilisi) with full
engagement by post's Regional Security Office. Glendale PD, LAPD,
the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department and other federal and local
agencies work directly with us on specific cases. Cooperation is
so well-developed that our Consular Section's anti-fraud unit has a
terminal which links them directly to Glendale PD's database. While
in the past, criminals have sought refuge in the fact that Armenia's
constitution prohibits extradition of its citizens, the PG's office
now works to prosecute these suspects based on U.S. evidence.
¶3. (SBU) The U.S. Mission has several assistance programs with the
PG's office and with the police, but they are kept entirely separate
from requests for law enforcement cooperation so as to remove the
possibility of misunderstanding a request for assistance as part of a
"quid pro quo" arrangement.
¶4. (SBU) At our request, LEGATT Tbilisi assembled a report of key
elements of law enforcement cooperation from 2006. The full report
was sent via email to EUR/CARC; highlights are included below. (Note:
Some of this information relates to ongoing investgations or judicial
proceedings which are not complete and should be treated as Law
Enforcement Sensitive. End Note.)
FUGITIVE INVESTIGATIONS
--------
One of the most productive areas of Law Enforcement cooperation is
the location, arrest and return of fugitives. The FBI tracks the
number of U.S. fugitives who are believed to be in Armenia, as well
as the number of Armenian fugitives believed to be in the U.S. As of
January 2007, the number of tracked fugitives is 67, which includes
those already returned to their country of origin. During 2006, the
FBI located two Armenian fugitives in the U.S., and returned one who
was wanted for attempted murder. The Armenian Services located 18 U.S.
fugitives. Of those, they arrested 5, and thus far have returned 3.
One of the 18 was convicted in Armenia for the murder he committed
in the U.S., and another is pending trial for murder. Two of the 18
died of natural causes before they were arrested by the Armenians.
It should be noted that the disparity in the number of U.S. fugitives
located by the Armenian Services and those arrested is not the fault
of Armenian Services. Due to the lack of an extradition treaty,
the Armenian Government can only deport those fugitives who are not
Armenian Citizens, or who have dual citizenship in both Armenia and
the U.S. The Prosecutor General Offices however, offers in all cases
to indict the individuals in Armenia for the crimes committed in
the U.S. Thus far, the PG's Office has indicted two individuals for
murder, one of whom was convicted, the other pending trial, and is
currently reviewing U.S. evidence in order to indict a third fugitive
for burglary. The most significant hindrance to Armenian prosecution
is the lack of dedicated language translators. The FBI is currently
attempting to address this problem.
SARO TSATURYAN - In October 2006, the Armenian National Security
Service (NSS) advised they located Saro Gevorg Tsaturyan in Armenia.
Tsaturyan is wanted by the Glendale Police Department for two counts
of First Degree Residential Burglary and two counts of Grand Theft
of Personal Property. Tsaturyan and his Armenian co-conspirators have
burglarized numerous homes of ethnic Armenians in Los Angeles county.
The FBI has investigated him for various organized crime related
offenses, to include special interest alien smuggling. On 17 November
2006, the National Security Service of Armenia arrested Tsaturyan.
Tsaturyan is a permanent legal resident of the United States and fled
the country before being prosecuted for his crimes. The Prosecutor
General's Office advised that the Government of Armenia cannot compel
Tsaturyan to return to the U.S. for trial, but offered to prosecute
him in Armenia for the crimes he committed in the U.S. Legatt has
initiated contact with Glendale Police Department for the foreign
prosecution. Legatt coordinated with U.S. Embassy translator who
is currently translating the documents necessary for indictment
in Armenia.
ANAIT ZAKARIAN - At the request of LA County Sheriff Leroy Baca, who
was recently in Yerevan, Armenia, Legat submitted a request to the
Armenian authorities to locate and arrest Anait Zakarian. Zakarian
is wanted for murder by Glendale Police. She is also wanted by the LA
County Sheriff's Department for escape from an LASO prison before her
murder trial. The Armenian National Security Service advised Legat
that Zakarian moved from Armenia to Moscow and now resides there.
Based on this information, Glendale PD will seek an Interpol Red
Notice and pursue her arrest in Russia.
NERSES CHAMICHYAN - During July 2006, unidentified subjects kidnaped,
assaulted, then released U.S. Citizen Gevorg Chamichyan, in Yerevan,
Armenia. Chamichyan's cousin in Los Angeles phoned the American
Embassy in Yerevan to report the crime. Legatt coordinated with RSO
section which linked up with Gevorg Chamichyan upon his release from
captivity. Conoff ensured Gevorg Chamichyan filed a complete police
report with Legatt's liaison contacts in the Police of the Republic
of Armenia. Because the Armenian police made no translator available,
Conoff acted as translator during police and PG interrogations. While
the Consular Section coordinated the return of Gevorg Chamichyan to
the U.S., Gevorg's brother, Nerses Chamichyan, showed up to assist.
Nerses Chamichyan, an Armenian citizen with lapsed Legal Permanent
Resident status in the U.S., is wanted for attempted murder in Los
Angeles. The Chamichyans belong to an organized crime group which
is battling with another group in Los Angeles. Gevorg's kidnapping
was conducted in an attempt to discourage his family members from
testifying in a Los Angeles attempted murder trial. The RSO and
Consular Officer coordinated Chamichyan's travel documents. LAPD
Detective George Shamlyan, who was in Yerevan conducting case
coordination on two unrelated investigations, agreed to escort
Chamichyan to LA. On 29 October 2006, Nerses Chamichyan arrived at
LAX airport and was taken into custody by the Glendale, California
Police Department without incident. Since his return, Chamichyan
testified in a significant Organized Crime trial which resulted in
convictions on all counts.
ARTUR KHANZADYAN - In September 2005, Artur Khanzadyan brutally
murdered his girlfriend and left her in the trunk of his automobile
in Glendale, California. By the time the body was discovered several
days later, police officers determined Khanzadyan had fled the U.S.
Approximately three weeks later, pursuant to Legatt's request, the
National Security Service of Armenia located and arrested Khanzadyan.
Due to Khanzadyan's status as an Armenian Citizen, the Armenian courts
ruled repeatedly that he could not be compelled to return to the U.S.
As a result of these rulings, the Prosecutor General of Armenia charged
Khanzadyan with murder in Armenia. The Glendale Police Department
translated their investigative case file and evidence which was passed
to the Armenian government. Khanzadyan's trial began on August 22,
2006 in Armenia. Together with Conoff, two detectives from Glendale
Police Department attended the trial, as did the victim's father. On
August 25, 2006, the court convicted Khanzadyan for murder and
sentenced him to 10 years in prison.
VAHAGN AKOPYAN - On April 4, 2006, the National Security Service
arrested Vahagn Akopyan who is wanted for murder in Los Angeles, CA.
Due to his Armenian Citizenship, the Armenian Government cannot
compel Akopyan to return to the U.S. However, the Prosecutor General
subsequently indicted Akopyan in Armenia for the U.S. murder. The
FBI turned over the complete translated case file to the Prosecutor
General's Office in December 2006. Akopyan's trial is currently
pending.
HAROUT BEKARIAN - On 20 June 2001, pursuant to an FBI investigation,
the U.S. District Court of the Central District of California
indicted Harout Bekarian for mail fraud, health care fraud, bribery
and conspiracy to launder money. When LA FBI agents attempted to arrest
Bekarian, they learned he had already fled to Armenia. On 10 May 2006,
the National Security Service of Armenia arrested Harout Bekarian.
Incident to arrest, Bekarian, who is an Armenian Citizen, advised
he would voluntarily return to the U.S. for trial. On 2 September
2006, the NSS transferred custody of Bekarian to Glendale, California
Police Department Detectives Craig Tweedy and Tigran Topadzikian. The
Detectives were in Yerevan in order to attend the trial of Artur
Khanzadyan. On 2 September, the Detectives transferred custody of
Bekarian to the FBI at the Los Angeles International Airport. Within
weeks of his return to the U.S., Harout Bekarian pled guilty to health
care fraud and conspiracy in Los Angeles. Sentencing is scheduled
for January 2007.
ANUSHAVAN MARTIROSYAN - In mid-2006, Glendale Police Department
requested Legat attempt to locate Anushavan Martirosyan in Armenia.
Martirosyan drove the getaway vehicle during a recent murder in
Glendale, California. The Armenian NSS initiated a search at Legat's
request. The NSS advised Legat that Martirosyan is living in Moscow,
Russia. The NSS provided Martirosyan's home telephone number. The
NSS also provided flight time and number for Martirosyan's mother
and brother who flew to Moscow to visit him in October 2006. Legat
advised Glendale Police and Legat Moscow. Glendale Police intend to
indict Martirosyan as soon as possible and obtain an Interpol Red
Notice and UFAP warrant through FBI Los Angeles.
ARTUR YERANOSYAN - The Police of the Republic of Armenia approached
Legat Tbilisi on 12 May regarding an organized crime related shooting
which occurred in Yerevan the previous day. An ICE lookout determined
the subject, Arthur Yeranosyan was en route to Los Angeles. FBI Los
Angeles coordinated with BICE who detained Yeranosyan upon arrival at
LAX. On 25 May, a KLM contract guard escorted Yeranosyan to Amsterdam
and then onto a connecting flight to Yerevan. Armenian Federal Police
arrested Yeranosyan without incident upon his arrival at Zvarnots
International Airport in Yerevan. Los Angeles FBI sent Legat Tbilisi
toll information for Yeranosyan's mobile telephone. The cell site
information for the mobile phone precisely mirrors Yeranosyan's
movement, before during and after the shooting. The Police of the
Republic of Armenia and the Prosecutor General's Office were both
appreciative for the evidence.
CYBER CRIME INVESTIGATIONS
---------
GEVORG MKRTCHYAN - This investigation targets a cyber criminal
enterprise with members operating in Yerevan, Armenia; Moscow,
Russia; Spain; and New York. The sophisticated criminal enterprise
which is headed by an Armenian in Yerevan, hacks into commercial and
individuals' bank accounts and transfers money to various bank accounts
around the world. Criminal associates in these countries then withdraw
the money and distribute it to other members of the organization.
Legatt has worked closely with the NSS since the inception of the
investigation. Legatt and NSS personnel traveled together to Spain
to coordinate with Law Enforcement Officers conducting the Spanish
portion of the investigation. The FBI offices in New York and Milwaukee
are also actively engaged in the investigation. The FBI anticipates
that subjects in Spain, Armenia, and the U.S. will be arrested in
early 2007.
MONEY LAUNDERING INVESTIGATIONS
-----------
HAYK STEPANYAN - This investigation was initially opened in order to
respond to a simple request in support of an Armenian Prosecutor
General's Office case. In furtherance of a money laundering
investigation, the PG's office requested Legat provide information
on two Arkansas based companies which had transferred USD 50,000.00
to the subject of their investigation. When Little Rock FBI pursued
the lead, the companies were determined to be shell companies under
investigation by FBI Portland. In December 2006, two Portland FBI
agents traveled to Yerevan and met the investigator assigned to
the Armenian investigation. Portland agents determined that the two
investigations are directly linked, and will be provided copies of
all Armenian evidence which will assist the FBI. The meeting resulted
in new leads for domestic FBI field offices and valuable intelligence
which will be disseminated via EC.
COUNTERTERRORISM
ARTUR SOLOMONYAN - This FBI investigation resulted in the indictment
and arrest of individuals who were attempting to smuggle military
weapons from Armenia to the U.S. The Armenian NSS arrested two of the
individuals involved in this plot. One of them was immediately turned
over to the U.S. This individual has since been convicted in U.S.
Federal Court. The Prosecutor General's Office of Armenia intends
to indict the second subject in Armenia upon completion of all the
U.S. trials.
Armenian Weekly
Tue, Sep 6 2011
GLENDALE, Calif. (A.W.)-Murder suspects, burglars, cyber criminals,
and organized crime members may run, but the law has far-reaching
tentacles. As a recently released U.S. Embassy cable reveals,
cooperation between U.S. law enforcement agents and Armenia's
detectives has increased, and a number of fugitives from the U.S. have
been arrested, indicted, and sentenced in Armenia, and in some cases
flown back to face the law in the U.S.
As a recently released U.S. Embassy cable reveals, cooperation between
U.S. law enforcement agents and Armenia's detectives has increased.
The largest obstacle has been the language barrier, and a lack of
translators. Despite that hindrance, investigators from both countries
have successfully cooperated on a number of cases. In one instance,
detectives from the Glendale Police Department traveled to Yerevan to
be present at the trial of a man accused of murdering his girlfriend.
The cable was authored by U.S. Embassy Charge d'Affaires Anthony
Godfrey. It is dated Jan. 19, 2007, and titled "Armenia: Law
Enforcement Cooperation with U.S. Continues to Improve."
The full text of the U.S. Embassy cable is below.
***
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ASEC SOCI PINS AM
SUBJECT: ARMENIA: LAW ENFORCEMENT COOPERATION WITH U.S. CONTINUES
TO IMPROVE
Sensitive but Unclassified. Please Treat Accordingly. Not for Internet.
Summary
-~W-
¶1. (SBU) Law enforcement cooperation with Armenia continued to improve
in 2006, with concrete key successes despite a complex environment
and the lack of a formal bilateral legal framework.
Fugitive investigations continued to be the most fruitful
area of cooperation, but GOAM cooperation in an ongoing major
international cyber crime case was also important. Five fugitives from
U.S. justice were arrested in Armenia, and two were transferred to
U.S. custody to face trial. Two fugitives were indicted in Armenia
on U.S. murder charges; one case resulted in conviction while the
other is still pending. Information provided by the GOAM helps to
advance investigations into Eurasian organized crime groups based in
Southern California. U.S. cooperation resulted in the apprehension
and deportation to Armenia of fugitives sought by Armenian authorities.
Key Armenian institutions working with USG officials are the Prosecutor
General's office (PG), the National Security Service (NSS) and the
Armenian police. Lack of resources to manage speedy translation
of U.S. evidentiary documents is a hindrance, as is the lack of a
full-time LEGATT in Yerevan, but we expect this level of cooperation
to continue. End Summary.
¶2. (SBU) One of the few negative consequences of strong links between
the Armenian community in the U.S. and their ethnic homeland is that
criminals seek to exploit the absence of institutionalized bilateral
law enforcement cooperation to avoid justice. Through the efforts of
various U.S. and Armenian organizations, we are working to make this
more difficult, and to ensure that the long arm of the law reaches
all the way from Glendale, California to Yerevan and back again. On
the U.S. side, we are fortunate to have well-established cooperation,
now led by our Legal Attache Office (based in Tbilisi) with full
engagement by post's Regional Security Office. Glendale PD, LAPD,
the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department and other federal and local
agencies work directly with us on specific cases. Cooperation is
so well-developed that our Consular Section's anti-fraud unit has a
terminal which links them directly to Glendale PD's database. While
in the past, criminals have sought refuge in the fact that Armenia's
constitution prohibits extradition of its citizens, the PG's office
now works to prosecute these suspects based on U.S. evidence.
¶3. (SBU) The U.S. Mission has several assistance programs with the
PG's office and with the police, but they are kept entirely separate
from requests for law enforcement cooperation so as to remove the
possibility of misunderstanding a request for assistance as part of a
"quid pro quo" arrangement.
¶4. (SBU) At our request, LEGATT Tbilisi assembled a report of key
elements of law enforcement cooperation from 2006. The full report
was sent via email to EUR/CARC; highlights are included below. (Note:
Some of this information relates to ongoing investgations or judicial
proceedings which are not complete and should be treated as Law
Enforcement Sensitive. End Note.)
FUGITIVE INVESTIGATIONS
--------
One of the most productive areas of Law Enforcement cooperation is
the location, arrest and return of fugitives. The FBI tracks the
number of U.S. fugitives who are believed to be in Armenia, as well
as the number of Armenian fugitives believed to be in the U.S. As of
January 2007, the number of tracked fugitives is 67, which includes
those already returned to their country of origin. During 2006, the
FBI located two Armenian fugitives in the U.S., and returned one who
was wanted for attempted murder. The Armenian Services located 18 U.S.
fugitives. Of those, they arrested 5, and thus far have returned 3.
One of the 18 was convicted in Armenia for the murder he committed
in the U.S., and another is pending trial for murder. Two of the 18
died of natural causes before they were arrested by the Armenians.
It should be noted that the disparity in the number of U.S. fugitives
located by the Armenian Services and those arrested is not the fault
of Armenian Services. Due to the lack of an extradition treaty,
the Armenian Government can only deport those fugitives who are not
Armenian Citizens, or who have dual citizenship in both Armenia and
the U.S. The Prosecutor General Offices however, offers in all cases
to indict the individuals in Armenia for the crimes committed in
the U.S. Thus far, the PG's Office has indicted two individuals for
murder, one of whom was convicted, the other pending trial, and is
currently reviewing U.S. evidence in order to indict a third fugitive
for burglary. The most significant hindrance to Armenian prosecution
is the lack of dedicated language translators. The FBI is currently
attempting to address this problem.
SARO TSATURYAN - In October 2006, the Armenian National Security
Service (NSS) advised they located Saro Gevorg Tsaturyan in Armenia.
Tsaturyan is wanted by the Glendale Police Department for two counts
of First Degree Residential Burglary and two counts of Grand Theft
of Personal Property. Tsaturyan and his Armenian co-conspirators have
burglarized numerous homes of ethnic Armenians in Los Angeles county.
The FBI has investigated him for various organized crime related
offenses, to include special interest alien smuggling. On 17 November
2006, the National Security Service of Armenia arrested Tsaturyan.
Tsaturyan is a permanent legal resident of the United States and fled
the country before being prosecuted for his crimes. The Prosecutor
General's Office advised that the Government of Armenia cannot compel
Tsaturyan to return to the U.S. for trial, but offered to prosecute
him in Armenia for the crimes he committed in the U.S. Legatt has
initiated contact with Glendale Police Department for the foreign
prosecution. Legatt coordinated with U.S. Embassy translator who
is currently translating the documents necessary for indictment
in Armenia.
ANAIT ZAKARIAN - At the request of LA County Sheriff Leroy Baca, who
was recently in Yerevan, Armenia, Legat submitted a request to the
Armenian authorities to locate and arrest Anait Zakarian. Zakarian
is wanted for murder by Glendale Police. She is also wanted by the LA
County Sheriff's Department for escape from an LASO prison before her
murder trial. The Armenian National Security Service advised Legat
that Zakarian moved from Armenia to Moscow and now resides there.
Based on this information, Glendale PD will seek an Interpol Red
Notice and pursue her arrest in Russia.
NERSES CHAMICHYAN - During July 2006, unidentified subjects kidnaped,
assaulted, then released U.S. Citizen Gevorg Chamichyan, in Yerevan,
Armenia. Chamichyan's cousin in Los Angeles phoned the American
Embassy in Yerevan to report the crime. Legatt coordinated with RSO
section which linked up with Gevorg Chamichyan upon his release from
captivity. Conoff ensured Gevorg Chamichyan filed a complete police
report with Legatt's liaison contacts in the Police of the Republic
of Armenia. Because the Armenian police made no translator available,
Conoff acted as translator during police and PG interrogations. While
the Consular Section coordinated the return of Gevorg Chamichyan to
the U.S., Gevorg's brother, Nerses Chamichyan, showed up to assist.
Nerses Chamichyan, an Armenian citizen with lapsed Legal Permanent
Resident status in the U.S., is wanted for attempted murder in Los
Angeles. The Chamichyans belong to an organized crime group which
is battling with another group in Los Angeles. Gevorg's kidnapping
was conducted in an attempt to discourage his family members from
testifying in a Los Angeles attempted murder trial. The RSO and
Consular Officer coordinated Chamichyan's travel documents. LAPD
Detective George Shamlyan, who was in Yerevan conducting case
coordination on two unrelated investigations, agreed to escort
Chamichyan to LA. On 29 October 2006, Nerses Chamichyan arrived at
LAX airport and was taken into custody by the Glendale, California
Police Department without incident. Since his return, Chamichyan
testified in a significant Organized Crime trial which resulted in
convictions on all counts.
ARTUR KHANZADYAN - In September 2005, Artur Khanzadyan brutally
murdered his girlfriend and left her in the trunk of his automobile
in Glendale, California. By the time the body was discovered several
days later, police officers determined Khanzadyan had fled the U.S.
Approximately three weeks later, pursuant to Legatt's request, the
National Security Service of Armenia located and arrested Khanzadyan.
Due to Khanzadyan's status as an Armenian Citizen, the Armenian courts
ruled repeatedly that he could not be compelled to return to the U.S.
As a result of these rulings, the Prosecutor General of Armenia charged
Khanzadyan with murder in Armenia. The Glendale Police Department
translated their investigative case file and evidence which was passed
to the Armenian government. Khanzadyan's trial began on August 22,
2006 in Armenia. Together with Conoff, two detectives from Glendale
Police Department attended the trial, as did the victim's father. On
August 25, 2006, the court convicted Khanzadyan for murder and
sentenced him to 10 years in prison.
VAHAGN AKOPYAN - On April 4, 2006, the National Security Service
arrested Vahagn Akopyan who is wanted for murder in Los Angeles, CA.
Due to his Armenian Citizenship, the Armenian Government cannot
compel Akopyan to return to the U.S. However, the Prosecutor General
subsequently indicted Akopyan in Armenia for the U.S. murder. The
FBI turned over the complete translated case file to the Prosecutor
General's Office in December 2006. Akopyan's trial is currently
pending.
HAROUT BEKARIAN - On 20 June 2001, pursuant to an FBI investigation,
the U.S. District Court of the Central District of California
indicted Harout Bekarian for mail fraud, health care fraud, bribery
and conspiracy to launder money. When LA FBI agents attempted to arrest
Bekarian, they learned he had already fled to Armenia. On 10 May 2006,
the National Security Service of Armenia arrested Harout Bekarian.
Incident to arrest, Bekarian, who is an Armenian Citizen, advised
he would voluntarily return to the U.S. for trial. On 2 September
2006, the NSS transferred custody of Bekarian to Glendale, California
Police Department Detectives Craig Tweedy and Tigran Topadzikian. The
Detectives were in Yerevan in order to attend the trial of Artur
Khanzadyan. On 2 September, the Detectives transferred custody of
Bekarian to the FBI at the Los Angeles International Airport. Within
weeks of his return to the U.S., Harout Bekarian pled guilty to health
care fraud and conspiracy in Los Angeles. Sentencing is scheduled
for January 2007.
ANUSHAVAN MARTIROSYAN - In mid-2006, Glendale Police Department
requested Legat attempt to locate Anushavan Martirosyan in Armenia.
Martirosyan drove the getaway vehicle during a recent murder in
Glendale, California. The Armenian NSS initiated a search at Legat's
request. The NSS advised Legat that Martirosyan is living in Moscow,
Russia. The NSS provided Martirosyan's home telephone number. The
NSS also provided flight time and number for Martirosyan's mother
and brother who flew to Moscow to visit him in October 2006. Legat
advised Glendale Police and Legat Moscow. Glendale Police intend to
indict Martirosyan as soon as possible and obtain an Interpol Red
Notice and UFAP warrant through FBI Los Angeles.
ARTUR YERANOSYAN - The Police of the Republic of Armenia approached
Legat Tbilisi on 12 May regarding an organized crime related shooting
which occurred in Yerevan the previous day. An ICE lookout determined
the subject, Arthur Yeranosyan was en route to Los Angeles. FBI Los
Angeles coordinated with BICE who detained Yeranosyan upon arrival at
LAX. On 25 May, a KLM contract guard escorted Yeranosyan to Amsterdam
and then onto a connecting flight to Yerevan. Armenian Federal Police
arrested Yeranosyan without incident upon his arrival at Zvarnots
International Airport in Yerevan. Los Angeles FBI sent Legat Tbilisi
toll information for Yeranosyan's mobile telephone. The cell site
information for the mobile phone precisely mirrors Yeranosyan's
movement, before during and after the shooting. The Police of the
Republic of Armenia and the Prosecutor General's Office were both
appreciative for the evidence.
CYBER CRIME INVESTIGATIONS
---------
GEVORG MKRTCHYAN - This investigation targets a cyber criminal
enterprise with members operating in Yerevan, Armenia; Moscow,
Russia; Spain; and New York. The sophisticated criminal enterprise
which is headed by an Armenian in Yerevan, hacks into commercial and
individuals' bank accounts and transfers money to various bank accounts
around the world. Criminal associates in these countries then withdraw
the money and distribute it to other members of the organization.
Legatt has worked closely with the NSS since the inception of the
investigation. Legatt and NSS personnel traveled together to Spain
to coordinate with Law Enforcement Officers conducting the Spanish
portion of the investigation. The FBI offices in New York and Milwaukee
are also actively engaged in the investigation. The FBI anticipates
that subjects in Spain, Armenia, and the U.S. will be arrested in
early 2007.
MONEY LAUNDERING INVESTIGATIONS
-----------
HAYK STEPANYAN - This investigation was initially opened in order to
respond to a simple request in support of an Armenian Prosecutor
General's Office case. In furtherance of a money laundering
investigation, the PG's office requested Legat provide information
on two Arkansas based companies which had transferred USD 50,000.00
to the subject of their investigation. When Little Rock FBI pursued
the lead, the companies were determined to be shell companies under
investigation by FBI Portland. In December 2006, two Portland FBI
agents traveled to Yerevan and met the investigator assigned to
the Armenian investigation. Portland agents determined that the two
investigations are directly linked, and will be provided copies of
all Armenian evidence which will assist the FBI. The meeting resulted
in new leads for domestic FBI field offices and valuable intelligence
which will be disseminated via EC.
COUNTERTERRORISM
ARTUR SOLOMONYAN - This FBI investigation resulted in the indictment
and arrest of individuals who were attempting to smuggle military
weapons from Armenia to the U.S. The Armenian NSS arrested two of the
individuals involved in this plot. One of them was immediately turned
over to the U.S. This individual has since been convicted in U.S.
Federal Court. The Prosecutor General's Office of Armenia intends
to indict the second subject in Armenia upon completion of all the
U.S. trials.