On this day in 1982, two Armenian gunmen assassinate Turkish Consul General, Kemal Arikan, in Los Angeles, California, USA while he was waiting in his automobile at an intersection. JCAG (The Justice Commandos of the Armenian Genocide) claims responsibility. One of the assassins, Hampig Sassounian, a 19-year-old Armenian American member of the JCAG, is arrested shortly thereafter. Sassounian's father states on public television, "I am glad that a Turk was killed...
On this day in
1982, two Armenian gunmen assassinate Turkish Consul General, Kemal
Arikan, in Los Angeles, California, USA while he was waiting in his
automobile at an intersection. JCAG (The Justice Commandos of the
Armenian Genocide) claims responsibility. One of the assassins, Hampig
Sassounian, a 19-year-old Armenian American member of the JCAG, is
arrested shortly thereafter. Sassounian's father states on public
television, "I am glad that a Turk was killed, but my son did not do
it." Sassounian's accomplice, believed to be Krikor Saliba, escapes to
Beirut. Los Angeles police search Sassounian's automobile, seizing a
.357 caliber bullet and a one-way airline ticket from Los Angeles to
Beirut. Police also search Sassounian's home, where they seize a gun
receipt, pistol targets, and a manifesto of "The Armenian Youth
Federation." Although Sassounian pleads not guilty, the Court convicts
him of first-degree murder and sentences to life imprisonment.
Sassounian's sentence is later changed to 25 years-life in an appeal
agreement in which he finally confesses to the killing. On October 6,
1980 a first attempt was made on Arikan's life, when his home was
firebombed.
TurkishPAC strongly condemns Armenian terrorist acts.
(For more information: www.ataa.org/reference)