Hampig Sassounian to be granted parole

Public Radio of Armenia
March 11 2021

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.

Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS