ATAA to Oppose Parole of Armenian terrorist Hampig 'Harry' Sassounian

Sassounian was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life imprisonment for the heinous assassination of Turkish Consul General Kemal Arikan on January 28, 1982. The Justice Commandos of the Armenian Genocide (JCAG), the militant wing of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF), claimed responsibility. Sassounian shot Mr. Arikan 14 times in the chest and head, as Mr. Arikan was in his car waiting at a traffic signal. Sassounian was arrested shortly thereafter.  Sassounian's father declared on national news, "I am glad a Turk was killed."

The Armenian American community raised over $350,000 for the "Hampig Sassounian Defense Fund" and subsequently organized "An Evening for Hampig" which included an emotionally charged, anti-Turkish racist religious service by Bishop Yeprem Tabakian of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Los Angeles police searched Sassounian's automobile, seizing a .357 caliber bullet and a one-way airline ticket from Los Angeles to Beirut. Sassounian's accomplice, Krikor Saliba, fled to Beirut.

  Police also searched Sassounian's home, where they seized a gun receipt, pistol targets, and a manifesto of "The Armenian Youth Federation." According to the FBI, the JCAG recruited members from the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation.

ATAA will provide a Victims Impact Statement on behalf of Turkish Americans who have been victims of Armenian terrorism and violent extremism. The ATAA Statement will be submitted by ATAA Regional Vice President Maria Cakiraga, and will be supported by a Report on Armenian Terrorism and Violent Extremism as well as affidavits of victims. Furthermore, the Statement will refer to numerous public declarations by Sassounian himself, as well as officers of the Armenian military, leaders of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) political party, and foreign agents of ARF in the United States, in support of Sassounian's actions.

News.Az