Kenya Times, Kenya
June 10 2006
Kicked out
By MAXWELL MASAVA
THE two Armenian brothers at the centre of the mercenaries saga were
arrested in the wee hours of yesterday morning and later deported
after a night of high drama in which they drew their guns at the Jomo
Kenyatta International Airport.
The two–Artur Margaryan and Artur Sagasyan and two others–were last
evening driven to the airport under tight security and ostensibly
deported to Dubai after spending eight hours in police cells.
Consequently, the government declared the Artur brothers and the
other two identified as Arman Damidri and Alexander Tashchi persona
non grata in the country. A police statement said this followed a
serious breach of airport security by the four. `At a time of
enhanced aviation security all over the world, incidents that
compromise security at international airports can neither be
tolerated nor taken for granted. The government has declared their
continued presence in the country undesirable and ordered their
immediate deportation’, said the statement.
Official opposition leader Uhuru Kenyatta, Liberal Democratic Party
Secretary-General Joseph Kamotho and Kabete MP Paul Muite questioned
why the government was in a hurry to deport the Armenians.
The three said there was an ill motive and wondered what the
government was hiding in sending the Armenians away before they were
charged in court to face justice. The MPs said Kenyans demanded
thorough investigations into the Armenians’ saga because their
conduct was suspect since their arrival in the country sometimes
back.
At the same time, the Commandant of Kenya Airport Police Unit
Beatrice Nduta and some senior officers were transferred following
the glaring security lapse witnessed at the airport on Thursday
night. Before the deportation, Margaryan claimed the action was
politically motivated and claimed that Lang’ata MP Raila Odinga had a
hand in it. Odinga is, however, away on an official trip to Korea.
Margaryan further denied ever drawing a gun at the airport noting
that police officers had not recorded any statements from them.
The night-long drama that sounded like fiction all began at 8pm on
Thursday when the younger Margaryan, in the company of six bodyguards
arrived at the airport to receive his elder brother, Sagasyan,
allegedly arriving from Dubai. While at the airport, the Arturs
blocked attempts by Customs officers to inspect the luggage the elder
one had arrived with. An argument ensued with the Arturs threatening
the officers with dire consequences for frustrating and intimidating
them.
Things got out of hand when the towering and angry Sagasyan, slapped
one of the officers who retaliated in defence drawing the ire of the
heavily built Arturs.
Stung by the reaction, Margaryan drew a pistol, threatening to shoot
all government officers on sight as the bodyguards joined the fiasco,
reigning blows and kicks on the Customs officials.
The two Armenians consistently threatened to call in a Ms Winnie,
whom they claimed to be the daughter of a popular Narc activist.
Police officers who tried to come to their aid were shocked to see
the Armenians pointing pistols at them and threatening disciplinary
measures in the event of any reaction.
In the ensuing confusion, the Arturs and their bodyguards, grabbed
the baggage at the centre of the controversy and speedily dashed for
their two cars, a Volvo and Pick-Up in the parking yard amid calls
for reinforcement by security personnel who were at the scene.
Contents of the laggages remained unknown although the police claimed
it contained CCTV cameras and some electronic gadgets.
About three hours later, Police Commissioner Hussein Ali instructed
Flying Squad officers to arrest the Armenians together with their
companies. A quickly assembled team arrived at their palatial Runda
residence armed to the teeth.
Earth movers were brought in to bring down the gates and doors after
the foreigners defied orders and pleas by security officers to open
the gate and surrender unconditionally, and instead they switched off
all lights and retired to bed. Surprisingly, their dogs did not bark
at all, an indication that they could have been `police dogs’.
A furious Margaryan, emerged on the balcony and threatened to shoot
dead officers who dared to move near the house. Pleas by the Gigiri
OCPD Patrick Lumumba for the Arturs to open the door fell on deaf
ears. He once again invoked the name of Winnie to scare off the
officers.
It was only after the officers threatened to pull down the structures
that Margaryan, agreed to open the door. He was immediately subdued,
handcuffed as the officers entered into the luxurious house for his
colleagues. They arrested two Caucasians, a women of mixed race, a
Ghanaian and a Tanzanian. A four hour operation had eventually borne
fruits.
During the raid, eleven luxurious cars were found within the home.
Some had government, diplomatic and civilian number plates while five
had no registration number plates.
The vehicles found in the compound included KAU 883Y (Toyota), KAL
325 X (Blue Pajero), Subaru Legacy (no registration), GK A 666Q (grey
Mercedes Benz), KAV 777N (silver BMW), KAN 272 Y (white Mercedes
Benz), KAU 666Q (grey Subaru), KAV 578 N (Toyota Corolla), a B-12762
UAE 9 (Toyota Harrier), an unregistered Toyota Mark II and three
unregistered silver Toyota Harriers.
Other items recovered in the house included two AK47assault riffles,
three pistols, 100 rounds of ammunition, silencer, automatic pistols,
snipper pistols, chemicals such as cyanide, military uniforms,
pangas, bullet proof vests, pistol holsters and uniforms worn by
officers from the Quick Response Unit (QRU).
During the raid one of the accomplices named only as Tarik is
reported to have escaped police dragnet by jumping over the fence.
The Arturs and companions were held at Kileleshwa, Gigiri, Spring
Valley, Parklands and Muthaiga police cells, from where they were
removed at around 2pm, under tight security and driven to their Runda
residence and asked to pack their belongings. By last evening the
government remained tight lipped on the issue, with Internal Security
Minister John Michuki said to be out of office. Government Spokesman
Dr Alfred Mutua referred us to the police whom he said were handling
the matter.