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SPECIAL BULLETIN -=- HAMPIG SASSOUNIAN


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Posted 27 October 2000 - 09:18 AM

SPECIAL BULLETIN
10-26-2000

HAMPIG SASSOUNIAN MAY QUALIFY FOR PAROLE
PASADENA--The US 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, Thursday, in a 2-1
decision, ruled in favor of lifting the special circumstances in the
Hampig Sassounian case, bringing him one step closer to become eligible
for parole. The Special circumstances prevented Sassounian from applying
for parole, reported a Sassounian Defense Committee spokesperson.
The court, effectively reversed an earlier decision by the district
court of appeals, which ruled that there were no grounds for lifting the
special circumstance. The 9th Circuit Court ruling Thursday, established
that Sassounian should be eligible for parole, given misconduct by the
jury during Sassounian's original trial in 1982.
Sassounian is serving an unfair life sentence(for alomost 20 years),
without the eligibility of parole, for the alleged murder of Kemal
Arikan, the Turkish Consul General to Los Angeles.
This decision will be finalized, pending a series of legal processes.

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Posted 28 October 2000 - 10:07 AM

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Hampig Sassounian May Qualify for Parole
PASADENA--A three-judge panel of the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Thursday that the jury in the Hampig Sassounian trial improperly considered evidence, which at the time of the trial resulted in a life sentence without the opportunity of parole.

Thursday's ruling reversed the finding and now allows a parole possibility for Sassounian, who has been in prison since January 1981.

"The jury is to make its decision based on evidence in the courtroom. The decision was influenced by material that was not presented in the courtroom," said Charles M. Sevilla, Sassounian defense attorney.

At the time of the trial, the presiding judge refused to allow testimony from a United Press International reporter, who claimed the Justice Commandos for the Armenian Genocide, in a phone call to UPI, took responsibility for the assassination.

During jury deliberations about the special circumstance, one juror cited the phone call to the UPI reporter.

"The jury foreman remembered that someone had mentioned the phone call after the jury had asked the question about being unable to agree on a special circumstance," Thursday's court opinion reflected.

"There is no doubt the jury received improper evidence," continued the ruling.

The judges held that Sassounian was deprived of his Sixth Amendment right to a verdict by impartial and indifferent jurors.

Sevilla explained that the Circuit Court reversed the sentencing enhancement finding that the killing was based on national origin, thus allowing a possibility for a parole application for Sassounian.

Thursday's decision is pending action by the State Attorney General's office, which has not yet indicated whether it would file for a retrial on the special circumstance ruling.

"I'm very pleased that we won some relief for Hampig. His case has been on appeals for over 16 years. It's about time that we obtain the relief on this issue, because it was a very compelling argument that we had made throughout the litigation," Sevilla told Asbarez Friday.

In a phone call with Sassounian Defense Committee member Hasmig Derderian Friday, Sassounian said he was very pleased with Thursday's ruling.

Sassounian also thanked the Armenian-American community for its continued support and encouragement throughout his years of incarceration.

"We are very excited that this case is moving forward," Derderian said, adding that we will also need the support of the community to continue the fight for justice for Hampig Sassounian.

Sassounian was convicted of the 1981 assassination of Turkish Consul General to Los Angeles Kemal Arikan and was sentenced to a life term without the possibility of parole.

Thursday's ruling, brings new hope for the Sassounian case, which has been in appeals for almost two decades.

#3 MosJan

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Posted 30 November 2001 - 10:10 AM

Sassounian Committee Statement on Retrial
GLENDALE—In anticipation of the impeding re-trial of Hampig Sassounian by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, the Hampig Sassounian Defense Committee issued the following statement, updating the public of status of the case:

"In 1982, Hampig Sassounian was arrested for the homicide of Kemal Arikan, the Turkish Consul General in Los Angeles. The trial was marred by controversy, irregularities and charges of prosecutorial misconduct which resulted in the unjust conviction of an innocent Hampig Sassounian. The Prosecution asserted that the murder was motivated by Hampig's Armenian ethnicity, and attached a "special circumstance" of "national origin" to the crime. This resulted in a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

After numerous appeals and investigations, in October of 2000, more than sixteen years after the trial, the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals found that juror misconduct unfairly prejudiced Hampig on the issue of nationality and overturned the special circumstance finding. The ruling effectively removed the special circumstance, modifying Sassounian's sentence to life in prison, with the possibility of parole.

On September 12, 2001, Deputy District Attorney Gregory Dohi, at District Attorney Steve Cooley's direction appeared in the Criminal Courts Building in downtown Los Angeles, marking the commencement of the retrial. Sassounian was present with prominent trial attorney Mark J. Geragos who argued to the Court that serious conflicts of interest existed in the District Attorney's case. Geragos added, and the Judge Robert Perry agreed, that these concerns needed to be addressed before the case proceeded any further.

The Court continued the matter so that the issues raised by the defense would be addressed at the next hearing, which is open to the general public, on October 31, 2001 at 8:30 a.m. in department 104 of the downtown Criminal Courts Building located on 210 West Temple Street in Los Angeles.

Members of the public who wish to attend this hearing should arrive at the courthouse early to ensure admittance.

Those wishing to assist Sassounian in his defense of this politically motivated re-trial should send their contributions to The Sassounian Defense Committee (SDC) P.O. Box 5278, Pasadena, California, 91117.

Sassounian Defense Says DA has Conflict of Interest
LOS ANGELES—Attorney Mark Geragos told the court Thursday, that he would file a motion in the Hampig Sassounian special circumstance retrial, contending that the District Attorney's office has a conflict of interest in initiating the judicial process by which Sassounian's eligibility for parole would be waived.

Judge Robert J. Perry agreed to hear arguments on the motion during a hearing scheduled to take place on December 19.

Geragos said the defense was seeking the DA's internal memorandum on the decision to retry Hampig Sassounian's special circumstance portion of the sentence, contending that Layle Rubin, who prosecuted the first trial was called as a witness in a 1993 evidentiary hearing, which focused on the false testimony of jailhouse informant Geoffery Busch.

Geragos said that Rubin was one of the officials at the district attorneys office who made the decision to retry the case and since she served as a witness during the aforementioned hearing there was a conflict of interest in the retrial decision making process.

The District Attorney's office has refused to submit the memorandum for discovery to the defense.

During Thursday's short hearing, prosecutor Gergory A. Dohi rejected the conflict of interest argument saying that the DA had no intention of calling Busch as a witness in the retrial, thus calling the defense motion "irrelevant."

Sassounian is serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole for allegedly murdering then Turkish Consul General to Los Angeles Kemal Arikan in 1982. The special circumstances, which made Sassounian ineligible for parole were linked to the jury's decision that the crime was racially motivated. Last year, the 9th Federal Circuit Court ruled that the special circumstances may be waved since the jury in the initial trial had entertained matters that were not presented in court during the trial.

The courtroom was, once again, filled to capacity with Sassounian relatives and supporters, the majority of whom were the youth.

During an interview with Horizon Television following the previous hearing on Oct. 31, Dohi attempted to assure the Armenian-American community that the motivation of the DA's office was not to single out the community by pursuing this matter.

"I want to make it very clear that the DA's office means no disrespect to the Armenian Cause... We respect the Armenian Cause very deeply, however we're doing simply what Gov. Deukmejian said when this happened 18 years ago, that we should seek the full measure of justice and that's what we are doing," explained Dohi

Defense attorney Geragos said, however, "This prosecution is nothing less than a full frontal assault on the Armenian community," explaining that new material provided to him by the prosecution for discovery "is nothing more than attacks on the ANC, the ARF, the AYF and the Armenian community."

Geragos added, "Everything that's in this case is nothing more than Turkish propaganda and revisionism and their ability to use this courtroom for political purposes."

He added that the prosecutors "have invoked the names of Deukmejian and [then District Attorney Robert] Philibosian as a cover for bringing this assault against the Armenian community."

The noted defense lawyer argued that, indeed, the District Attorney was motivated by the events of Sept. 11th and thus is mounting a case against the community.

"The first document I got in the discover is a piece of paper with a headline that reads 'terrorism.' If this is not linked to Sept. 11, then why does the first document have a banner that says 'terrorism'?" explained Geragos.

"Why is the first witness [on the list] some bozo who is going to claim that the Armenian groups are nothing but a bunch of fringe groups?" commented Geragos.

"This is unconscionable. The Armenian community should not stand fort this," said Geragos, who urged those Armenian-Americans who had contributed to District Attorney Cooley's election campaign to call the DA and file complaints, since Cooley himself had announced that he election was largely due to the support of the Armenian-American community.

The Los Angeles Country District Attorney's office announced on Sept. 28 during a hearing at the Los Angeles County Criminal Court its intentions to retry the special circumstance portion of the Hampig Sassounian case, despite a ruling last year by the federal Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn that decision and provide parole eligibility for the defendant.

On November 1, Hampig Sassounian expressed his gratitude to the Armenian-American community for its continued solidarity with his case, during a live telephone interview Thursday on Horizon TV's nightly newscast.

Sassounian conveyed his heartfelt gratitude to the community, which through letters, phone calls and attendance at events, has supported him during the two decades that he has been in prison.

"I am not the same person who entered prison at the age of 19. Right now I am 39 years old and have been able to endure this reality through the unwavering support of the community," Sassounian told the live television audience.

He explained that he passes his time by reading the Bible and the writings of Kirkor Naregatsi, which he said have multiplied his love for the Armenian people.

Sassounian said that his will has been strengthened through the countless letters and correspondence he has received, throughout the years, from supporters in Lebanon, Iran, Europe and the Americas. These letters have served as encouragement for Sassounian, who has been unjustly incarcerated for 20 years.

Sassounian expressed his gratitude not only to the Los Angeles Armenian community, but rather to Armenians throughout the world, who have supported his cause. He also exclaimed his satisfaction that a new generation of Armenians has fostered his cause and individuals who were not born when the 1982 events occurred were equally supportive as those who attended his trials and extended their solidarity.

"I dream of being united with our people and go to live in Armenia," said Sassounian, who urged the community to remain strong and be proud of their heritage as Armenians.

In closing he thanked Asbarez newspaper and Horizon Television for their continued assistance and support and urged the Armenian community to morally and financially support his case.

The Sassounian Defense Committee, which has been at the forefront of the community-wide effort to secure the needs of the defense urged the community to come together and assist the committee in ensuring a fair verdict from this retrial.

"Now, more than ever, we know we can count on the community to support our activities, and through that to send a clear signal to Hampig that the Armenian community continues to stand in solidarity with him," said Hasmig Derderian of SDC.

Individuals wishing to assist Sassounian in his defense of this politically motivated re-trial should send their contributions to The Sassounian Defense Committee (SDC) P.O. Box 5278, Pasadena, California, 91117

[ December 01, 2001: Message edited by: MosJan ]

#4 MosJan

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Posted 20 December 2001 - 09:33 AM

Hampig Hearing Deemed 'Step in Right Direction'
LOS ANGELES—In what was deemed as a "Step in the right direction," by defense attorney Mark Geragos, a hearing on the retrial of the special circumstance in the Hampig Sassounian case was held Wednesday at the Criminal Courts building.

The brunt of Wednesday's hearing focused on a discussion regarding inherent problems in the prosecution's case for segregating the special circumstance portion from the underlying case.

Judge Robert J. Perry scheduled further hearing on the matter of the special circumstances for January 30, however acknowledging that there were issues would have to be resolved before the prosecution's case can go forward.

"We're coming back in January. Hopefully, we'll get a part of this case dismissed at that point. I'm hopeful that by the 30th, half of this case will be dismissed," said an optimistic Geragos, who pointed the finger at the Los Angeles Country District Attorney Steve Cooley for unnecessarily dredging up a 20-year-old case

Judge Perry also ruled that the prosecution was under no responsibility to explain to the defense or the court its reasoning for bringing forth the retrial motion.

"Steve Cooley is doing nothing but embracing the genocide deniers and the Turkish propaganda types and will be able to see it for what it is and will put right to them," remarked Geragos.

The noted defense attorney explained that the court was not going to easily embrace the prosecution's reasoning for the retrial

"In fact, the court was pretty adamant that it was not going to do that. The court has also invited them to rethink this. That was the last they said. I think that if we could ever get a prosecutor here who wasn't biased and wasn't interested in assaulting the Armenian community, somebody would drop this case and they will let Harry out the door immediately. Unfortunately, we don't have that yet but we're making steps in the right direction," argued Geragos

"They plan on bringing and making this a trial, if you will, of the ARF and the AYF and do a full frontal assault and talk about those organizations. They refer to these organizations as Armenian fringe organizations. Our feeling is we're going to have to awaken them up to whether or not these are fringe organizations or mainstream organizations," explained Geragos.

"The Armenian community needs to step up and let this guy know that they're not going to get away with what I believe is insulting or racist kinds of comments," advised Geragos.

The opposing side has embraced the Assembly of American-Turkish Propaganda Group: the ones out there talking about how the genocide never took place. Their very first document in discovery was stuff produced by them. So this whole thing is nothing but the Turks as a prosecution by proxy that's organized by the Turks and they should be ashamed of themselves," added Geragos.

Sassounian is serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole for allegedly murdering then Turkish Consul General to Los Angeles Kemal Arikan in 1982. The special circumstances, which made Sassounian ineligible for parole were linked to the jury's decision that the crime was racially motivated. Last year, the 9th Federal Circuit Court ruled that the special circumstances may be waved since the jury in the initial trial had entertained matters that were not presented in court during the trial.

The courtroom was, once again, filled to capacity with Sassounian relatives and supporters, the majority of whom were the youth.

During an interview with Horizon Television following a hearing on Oct. 31, prosecutor Gregory Dohi attempted to assure the Armenian-American community that the motivation of the DA's office was not to single out the community by pursuing this matter.

"I want to make it very clear that the DA's office means no disrespect to the Armenian Cause... We respect the Armenian Cause very deeply, however we're doing simply what Gov. Deukmejian said when this happened 18 years ago, that we should seek the full measure of justice and that's what we are doing," explained Dohi

Defense attorney Geragos said, however, "This prosecution is nothing less than a full frontal assault on the Armenian community," explaining that new material provided to him by the prosecution for discovery "is nothing more than attacks on the ANC, the ARF, the AYF and the Armenian community."

The noted defense lawyer argued that, indeed, the District Attorney was motivated by the events of Sept. 11th and thus is mounting a case against the community.

"The first document I got in the discover is a piece of paper with a headline that reads 'terrorism.' If this is not linked to Sept. 11, then why does the first document have a banner that says 'terrorism'?" explained Geragos.

"This is unconscionable. The Armenian community should not stand fort this," said Geragos, who urged those Armenian-Americans who had contributed to District Attorney Cooley's election campaign to call the DA and file complaints, since Cooley himself had announced that he election was largely due to the support of the Armenian-American community.

The Los Angeles Country District Attorney's office announced on Sept. 28 during a hearing at the Los Angeles County Criminal Court its intentions to retry the special circumstance portion of the Hampig Sassounian case, despite a ruling last year by the federal Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn that decision and provide parole eligibility for the defendant.

The Sassounian Defense Committee, which has been at the forefront of the community-wide effort to secure the needs of the defense urged the community to come together and assist the committee in ensuring a fair verdict from this retrial.

"Now, more than ever, we know we can count on the community to support our activities, and through that to send a clear signal to Hampig that the Armenian community continues to stand in solidarity with him," said Hasmig Derderian of SDC.

Individuals wishing to assist Sassounian in his defense of this politically motivated re-trial should send their contributions to The Sassounian Defense Committee (SDC) P.O. Box 5278, Pasadena, California, 91117.

#5 MosJan

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Posted 17 February 2002 - 06:52 AM

Racine Community Raises Funds For Sassounian Defense
RACINE—More than $1,300 was raised on February 3 at a fund-raiser held by the Racine 'Marzbed' ARF chapter for the Hampig Sassounian Defense Committee (SDC). The fund-raiser is one of many events being held by ARF chapter's in the United States, and will culminate in a banquet being organized by the Sassounian Defense Committee on February 22, in Pasadena.

Zohrab Khaligian, representing the 'Marzbed' ARF chapter, explained that Sassounian has spent the last 20 years of his life in prison after being unjustly convicted for the homicide of Kemal Arikan, the Turkish Consul General in Los Angeles. Hampig's original trial was full of controversy, irregularities, and charges of prosecutorial misconduct, which resulted in a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. In 2000, a court of appeals modified Hampig's sentence to allow for the possibility of parole, but on September 12, 2001, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced their decision to retry Hampig's case in order to reverse the court of appeals decision.

"All proceeds from today's lunch will be sent to the Sassounian Defense Committee to assist in what we hope will be Hampig's release from prison," stated Khaligian. Fifty letters were also signed and sent to Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley imploring him to reverse his decision to retry Hampig Sassounian.

#6 MosJan

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Posted 26 February 2002 - 10:21 AM

More Than $70,000 Raised for Hampig Sassounian Defense Effort
PASADENA—More than 720 community members and activists participated in a fund-raising event to benefit the Hampig Sassounian Defense Committee, at the Pasadena Armenian center, where by the end of the evening more than $70,000 was raised for defense efforts for Sassounian who is currently facing a retrial of the special circumstance provision of his life sentence.

The evening's event aimed at acquainting the community to this new phase in the more than 20-year-old Sassounian case and urge the community to financially and morally support efforts of the Defense Committee.

Welcoming remarks were presented by Defense Committee secretary Houri Fournouzian, who said that Sassounian's imprisonment is a human rights violation, which can be deemed as a continuation of the Genocide committed against the Armenian people by the Ottoman Turkish regime.

Master of Ceremonies and Defense Committee member Hovig Saliba welcomed the official guests, including Western Prelate Bishop Moushegh Mardirossian; Armenian Revolutionary Federation Bureau member Dr. Viken Hovsepian; ARF Western US Central Committee chairman Viken Yacoubian and fellow Central Committee members; ARF Eastern US Central Committee chairman Zohrab Tazian and fellow Central Committee members; Armenian Relief Society Western Regional Executive chairwoman Sona Peltekian; members of Sassounian's family and Hampig's fiancé, Salpy, as well as representatives of community organizations.

Also present were Sassounian's first attorney Paul Geragos and his son Mark, who is currently serving as his defense attorney. Saliba made special mention and extended a heartfelt gratitude to appellate attorney Charles Sevilla, who had seen Sassounian's appeal all the way to the California Supreme Court and the 9th Circuit Court, where in 2000 a decision was made to waive the special circumstance of Sassounian's life sentence, making him eligible for parole.

However, in what is being called a deliberate persecution of the Armenian-American community in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks on the US, Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley has opted to retry the special circumstance portion of this 20-year case.

A hearing scheduled for next month will focus on the prosecution's claims that the crime for which Sassounian has been blamed was carried out on the promotion of national origin. Sassounian is serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole for the 1981 alleged assassination of the Turkish Consul General to Los Angeles Kemal Arikan.

Sassounian Defense Committee co-chairman Bedros Ghazarian, briefed those gathered at the event on the current state of the committee's activities and delineated the needs of the committee as they have arisen due to this retrial. He thanked the community for its unwavering support throughout the decades.

Sassounian attorney Mark Geragos also briefed the attendees about the legal aspect of the case, ensuring that Armenian community participation goes a long way in ensuring a just fruition to the case. He also commended the community for its support and chastised the District Attorney's office for revisiting this 20-year-old case, casting doubt on the motivation of the DA.

Paul Geragos, who was lead defense attorney during the initial phase of the case, presented an emotional retrospective of the Sassounian Case and the significance the case has had not only legally, but personally, as well, as an active member of the Armenian-American community.

"The Genocide continues," said Paul Geragos, who urged the community to remain vigilant in its pursuit of the aspirations of the Armenian people.

The moving moment of the entire evening was the airing of an audio interview with Sassounian from prison, which was conducted by Fournouzian a day before. His message to the public was one of gratitude and affection toward the community. He expressed hope that one day he will personally attend a similar event at the Armenian center.

Well known singers Hovig Krikorian, Nersig Ispiryan and Karnig Sarkissian provided the entertainment for the evening and initiating excitement among the participants to fulfill the mission of the gathering.

#7 Yervant1

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Posted 15 December 2016 - 11:40 AM

U.S. gives parole to Armenian sentenced over Turkish envoy’s murder
228315.jpg
December 15, 2016 - 18:59 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - An Armenian gunman serving life sentence for killing a Turkish diplomat in 1982 has been given a long-sought parole by a board in the U.S. state of California, Daily Sabah reports.

The parole board accepted Wednesday, December 14 the demand of Harry "Hampig" Sassounian, a member of the Armenian Revolutionary Army (ARA), who killed Kemal Arikan, Turkey's consul general to Los Angeles, on January 28, 1982.

Sassounian was originally sentenced to life imprisonment without possibility of parole; however, he became eligible for parole after admitting his guilt and formally apologizing in 2002. Previous demands by Sassounian were rejected by a parole board in 2006, 2010, 2013 and 2015.

In a statement on Thursday, Turkey's Ministry of Foreign Affairs denounced the court's ruling.

Sassounian, hailing from a family of Lebanese Armenian emigres, was identified by witnesses as one of the two gunmen. During the trial, the prosecutors indicated that Sassounian "was motivated to kill Arikan by vengeance for the Armenian Genocide committed by the Turkish Ottomans of an estimated 1.5 million Armenians between 1915 and 1923."
http://www.dailysaba...e-for-armenian-terrorist-serving-life-sentence-for-turkish-diplomats-murder

http://www.panarmeni...ng/news/228315/


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#8 MosJan

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Posted 16 December 2016 - 03:59 PM

i so  this  last  night :)
most Armenian news  didn't report anything.. now that your  posting this  we are good  to go. he still need to go in front of a  judge
his still in Jell



#9 Yervant1

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Posted 29 December 2019 - 08:00 AM

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey
Dec 28 2019
 
 
No: 373, 28 December 2019, Press Release Regarding the Decision to Grant Parole to Hampig Sassounian Who Assasinated Consul-General of Turkey in Los Angeles, Mr. Kemal Arıkan
 
 
We regret that Hampig Sassounian, the terrorist who assassinated Mr. Kemal Arıkan, the Turkish Consul-General in a heinous attack on January 28, 1982, has been granted parole during the hearing held in California on December 27, 2019 despite our attempts. We strongly condemn and reject this decision which is subject to the approval of the Governor of California and is open to appeal.
 
This decision paving the way for the release of the murderer of our martyred diplomat is not only against universal principles of law and justice, but also contradicts the spirit of cooperation in the fight against terrorism.
 
Sassounian has not shown any remorse throughout his incarceration for the crime he deliberately planned and committed, which was based on a distorted ideology fostered by animosity against Turks. It was not a simple murder, but a hate crime and a terrorist act.
 
Turkey, which has lost 58 lives as victims of Armenian terrorism, 31 of which were diplomats, will resort to all legal means to prevent the entry into effect of this troubling decision, which would establish an extremely dangerous precedent at a time when the need for international solidarity is at its height in response to the re-escalation of hate crimes. In this regard, the biggest share of responsibility falls upon the US authorities, who also suffered from similar losses.
 
We once again remember with respect and gratitude our martyred diplomat Kemal Arıkan and all our martyres who fell victim to terrorism.
 

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#10 MosJan

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Posted 30 December 2019 - 01:20 PM

120 more days !!! he will be free if furks don't stop him. 



#11 MosJan

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Posted 30 December 2019 - 01:25 PM

80714932_2445843485683242_64961233464118



#12 MosJan

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Posted 29 January 2020 - 01:05 PM

On December 29 a California court ordered the conditional release of Sassounian. And on January 27, 2020, despite Turkey's exhortations and statements, a decision was made to release Hampig Sassounian.



#13 MosJan

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Posted 29 January 2020 - 01:18 PM

Turkish Foreign Ministry Called on US not to Release Hampig Sassounian

 

https://armedia.am/e...sassounian.html

Hampig-Sassounian-5.pngHampig-Sassounian-5.png



#14 Yervant1

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Posted 12 March 2021 - 09:51 AM

Public Radio of Armenia
March 11 2021
 
 

 
  Hampig Sassounian to be granted parole  
 

Asbarez – The office of California Governor Gavin Newsom informed the Armenian National Committee of America Western Region Wednesday that the Governor has decided to allow Hampig Sassounian’s release by waiving any further appeals of the court’s ruling which upheld the Parole Board’s decision to grant parole.

“We are truly grateful to Governor Newsom and his team for keeping the lines of communication open with us, for listening to our concerns, and for making the humanitarian decision to allow Hampig Sassounian’s parole to stand. We look forward to witnessing his long overdue release from prison,” stated ANCA-WR Chair Nora Hovsepian.

It is anticipated that Sassounian’s release will be processed in the coming days pending finalization of the necessary steps under law.

The Los Angeles County Superior Court on February 24 reversed a decision by Governor Newson who rejected the parole eligibility and application of Hampig Sassounian.

LA County Superior Court Judge William C. Ryan vacated Newsom’s decision to reject Sassounian’s parole and reinstated the California Parole Board’s decision to grant Sassounian parole.

 

https://en.armradio....granted-parole/



#15 Yervant1

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Posted 12 March 2021 - 10:00 AM

DailySabah.com
 
Turkey blasts US court’s parole ruling for diplomat's killer California governor decides not to appeal against ruling
Merve Aydogan   |11.03.2021
pngaz8Jp_H0z5.png

ANKARA

Turkey on Thursday "strongly condemned" a US court's decision to release on parole an Armenian national who assassinated a Turkish diplomat in Los Angeles in 1982.

The Los Angeles County Superior Court recently ruled in favor of release of Hampig Sassounian. California Governor Gavin Newsom has said he will not appeal against the decision. 

"We strongly condemn this approach that deeply hurts the conscience of the Turkish nation," a Turkish Foreign Ministry statement said. 

Despite all the attempts made by the US administration, this “grave decision” was given which is "incompatible with the universal principles of law and the understanding of justice." 

Noting that at least 58 Turkish citizens, including 31 diplomats, were martyred by Armenian terror groups, the ministry said: “At a time when hate crimes are on the rise and international solidarity is needed the most, the release of a brutal murderer with political motives harms the spirit of cooperation in the fight against terrorism."

"This murder, which the terrorist Sassounian committed in despicable manner and showed no sign of remorse during his 38-year sentence, will never be forgotten as a crime that represents a sick and distorted ideology," it added. 

“On this occasion, we pay tribute to our fallen diplomat Kemal Arikan and all the martyrs who lost their lives in the attacks of Armenian terrorist organizations,” the ministry said.

Separately, the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan on Twitter paid tribute to assassinated Turkish diplomat Arikan. It said "releasing admitted and unreformed terrorist Sassounian convicted of murdering a diplomat would send a very wrong message and surely harm interests of diplomacy, especially in a state w/one of the world’s largest diplomatic corps."

Arikan, Turkey’s Consul General in Los Angeles, was martyred on Jan. 28, 1982, by Sassounian and his accomplice Krikor Saliba on behalf of an Armenian terror group. Sassounian was arrested and sentenced to life in prison.

Fugitive terrorist Saliba was claimed to be killed in the Lebanese civil war in 1982.

The vast majority of the attacks on Turkish diplomats and citizens were conducted by ASALA and JCAG terrorist groups.

The assassinations took place in the US, Austria, France, Italy, Spain, Lebanon, Greece, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Canada, Portugal, Iran, and the UK.
 
 


#16 MosJan

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Posted 30 October 2021 - 11:20 AM

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#17 MosJan

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Posted 30 October 2021 - 11:20 AM

Hampig Sassounian in Armenia, October 29, 2021
YEREVAN—After serving almost 40 years in prison, Hampig Sassounian has been freed.

“It is with incredible joy that I write to you from Armenia,” read Sassounian’s brief statement released to the public by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Western US on Friday. “After nearly 40 years, it is my honor to set foot on Armenian soil, breathe its air, drink its water, and feel the warmth of my family and loved ones. I have been overwhelmed by the years of love and support you have given me. They kept me going through the darkest of days. My deepest gratitude to everyone that has written, visited, and kept me in your hearts. I am finally home.”

Sassounian had been serving a life sentence for assassinating Turkish Consul General Kemal Arikan in Los Angeles on January 28, 1982. He was 19 years old at the time. He is now 58.



#18 MosJan

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Posted 30 October 2021 - 11:20 AM

https://armenianweek...ves-in-armenia/






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