US embassy cable - 04YEREVAN2550

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 YEREVAN 002550 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR DS/CIL, EUR/ACE AND EUR/CACEN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, KJUS, KCRM, AM 
SUBJECT: ARMENIA: COPERATING ON LAW ENFORCEMENT, ONE CASE 
AT A TIME 
 
Information is sensitive but unclassified.  Please treat 
accordingly. 
 
Summary 
------- 
 
1.  (SBU) Despite the absence of formal legal instruments 
regulating law enforcement cooperation between the U.S. and 
Armenia, cooperation with the GOAM on specific cases has 
produced positive results. From working on child pornography 
cases to tracking down, arresting and transferring fugitive 
murder suspects to seizing assets, Armenian officials have 
demonstrated they are ready to help us.  This relationship 
results from active engagement by Embassy officials, 
especially by the RSO, concrete, targeted  assistance 
projects funded by INL and others, but also from Armenia's 
generally positive view of the U.S. as a partner, if not 
always an ally.  We will look to build on these successes and 
to institutionalize some aspects of our cooperation.  End 
Summary. 
 
2.  (SBU) As a rule, Armenia's law enforcement organizations 
are in bad shape.  Weak democratic institutions, lack of 
resources, poorly-motivated, poorly-trained personnel and, of 
course, corruption, are factors limiting their performance. 
Together with other donors, U.S. assistance programs are 
working to address this shortcoming and have achieved some 
measure of success.  Training, assistance in reforming 
legislation and equipment continue to be our priorities.  A 
by-product of this engagement is a constructive relationship 
with Armenia's law enforcement agencies and also a positive 
general attitude toward the U.S.  Our relationships with the 
National Security Service (NSS) and with the office of 
Armenia's Prosecutor General have been the most productive. 
This cable highlights some of our recent efforts. 
 
Child Pornography Case 
---------------------- 
 
3.  (SBU) In November 2002, we worked with the NSS to 
investigate Armenia's first internet child pornography case. 
The lead in this investigation originated from Illinois via 
U.S. Customs agents in Chicago.  The main Armenian suspect 
was employed at the Armenian telecom company and was arrested 
with hundreds of CDs of pornography at his residence. 
Because of a shortcoming in Armenian law, the suspect escaped 
prosecution, but a ring to distribute material beyond Armenia 
was broken. 
 
Fugitive Murder Suspect Detained and Transferred 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
 
4.  (SBU) The RSO used a June 2003 visit by the Ambassador to 
Glendale, California (where many Armenian emigrants have 
settled) to develop close professional ties with local- and 
federal-level law enforcement authorities there.  This 
investment continues to pay dividends.  In February 2004, 
Glendale PD learned that an ethnic Armenian murder suspect 
fled the U.S. for Armenia.  Despite the absence of a Mutual 
Legal Assistance Treaty or an Extradition Treaty, Glendale PD 
and the RSO worked with the NSS to conduct wiretaps (both in 
the U.S. and in Armenia).  The suspect was returned to the 
U.S. for trial. 
 
Alien Smuggler Sting 
-------------------- 
 
5.  (SBU) In June 2004, the NSS, working with DHS/ICE Long 
Beach and the RSO carried out a successful sting operation 
against an Armenian-American alien smuggler.  After NSS 
surveillance and wiretaps, the smuggler was arrested at the 
Yerevan airport while trying to bribe a border guard.  The 
subject is now on trial in Armenia, but the DHS investigation 
into related activities continues. 
 
Cocaine Bust 
------------ 
 
6.  (SBU) In July 2004, the NSS arrested an Armenian national 
attempting to smuggle cocaine into Russia.  Investigation 
revealed that there have been previous shipments of cocaine 
with different "mules."  DEA/Istanbul and NSS are continuing 
to cooperate on the investigation as it appears that Armenian 
groups in the Los Angeles area may be the source of the drugs. 
 
Fraudulent Bank Transfer Frozen 
------------------------------- 
 
7.  (SBU) In August 2004, U.S. Secret Service notified post 
that a fraudulent wire transfer had been sent from a bank in 
Southern California to a recipient in Armenia.  Although part 
of the fraudulently transferred funds were released by the 
local bank, prompt action by post with the NSS and the 
Central Bank of Armenia prevented the release of the 
remaining USD 275,000.  Based on information provided by the 
U.S. Secret Service, Armenia's Prosecutor initiated a 
criminal case against the suspect, who remains in custody 
while the investigation is ongoing. 
 
Vehicular Homicide Suspect Will Face Justice in U.S. 
--------------------------------------------- ------- 
 
8.  (SBU) In October 2004, post took advantage of an 
INL-funded training course on crime scene investigation 
taught by Glendale, California detectives to follow up on 
several open cases.  One such case involved a suspect in a 
vehicular homicide who fled the U.S.  Glendale PD detectives, 
working with the RSO and the NSS, located the suspect.  With 
the assent of Armenia's Prosecutor General, the suspect was 
arrested and was deported from Armenia on November 9 in the 
custody of an FBI agent and an LAPD detective. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
9.  (SBU) Our engagement with Armenia's law enforcement 
organizations is producing results, but we look to move 
beyond the ad hoc nature of this relationship.  Considering 
the size of the Armenian Diaspora in the U.S. and the 
enduring ties between some elements of that community and 
Armenia, it may now be time to consider more formal bilateral 
arrangements to regulate our legal cooperation. 
EVANS