When They Get Out of Jail, the Pimps Go Back to Work

www.hetq.am
[December 18, 2006]

Our sources in Dubai have informed us that the notorious pimps Amalya Mnatsakanyan and Marieta Musayelyan have brought two new groups of women to the city. In recent years, the two pimps were indicted several times in Armenia for their activities. They had been sought by Interpol for years. Yet when the court made its ruling it took mitigating circumstances into account and gave them short prison terms. And both women were released early.

43-year-old Amalya Mnatsakanyan is also known as Nano. Out of respect for her experience, law enforcement officials call her Mother Pimp.

On October 16, 2000 Nano was put on probation for her trafficking activities. But she kept working throughout the two years of probation and subsequently.

Starting in September 2002 Mnatsakanyan was sought by police. In 2003, two criminal cases were merged; the new case was based on charges that Mnatsakanyan had forced the women that had been recruited into sexual exploitation.

Investigators discovered that in 2002-2003 Nana also "faked and took into possession official documents, and instigated and supported others in illegally crossing the state borders of the Republic of Armenia."

The United Arab Emirates police, following the request of our law enforcement officials, arrested Amalya Mnatsakanyan, and on March 10, 2004 she was extradited to Armenia. From July 2 to August 25 the Court of First Instance of the Kentron and Nork Marash Districts of Yerevan reviewed the case.

Marine Vardanyan, one of Nano's victims, wrote in her testimony "I and others like me were subjected to unspeakable torture. Whatever sick perversions there are, they forced us to do them. And all this was directed by Nano; she was our boss. She didn't spare anyone, even when we were sick she forced us to service clients, so she could earn money. People like her should be destroyed." In court, Vardanyan testified, “They took my passport from me and forced me to do whatever they wanted. I stayed 21 days in Dubai and didn't earn a single penny. Whatever I earned I had to give to Nano. But I wasn't able to adapt. I went to the police and was deported. I came to Armenia in horrible shape. Now I have a third degree disability."

The investigation found that between 2000 and 2003 Amalya Mnatsakanyan had recruited over 40 women and sent them to the UAE. According to the prosecution data, she earned $221,000 during that time.

Nano refused to give testimony in the court, though she pled guilty.

Since the crimes were committed between 1998 and 2003, the court used the old Criminal Code to determine her sentence. The previous Criminal Code contained nothing on human trafficking, so Nano was imprisoned for two years according to Article 262 on pimping. She was incarcerated for only two months. When she was released she went back to work. Even then, according to our sources, Nano was sponsored by generals. That is why she got out of jail so quickly and was not afraid to go back to work.

Hetq has written about Marieta Musayelyan several times. We met her victims both in Dubai and in Armenia (See Armenians in the Dubai Sex Trade).

The court always gave light sentences to the thrice-convicted Musayelyan. In May 2005 she was given an early release. (See Even the Court Supports the Pimp)

This time, Musayelyan recruited the women herself. In the first group there were seven women, mainly from the regions. At the end of November Marieta transported the girls to Dubai via Moscow. She was accompanied by her boyfriend, known as Serozh. Nano took the three women to Dubai via Moscow.

Our source in Dubai met Nano and asked her "Aren't you afraid to come back?” She replied, "I have guarantees from everyone. Why should I be afraid? I've paid the money."

We found out that Nano bought all the Yerevan-Moscow-Dubai airline tickets through Delta Armenia Travel Agency, and departed between November 18 and 25.

"Nano bought several girls from Ano, who lives in the Erebuni district dormitory. One of them was the daughter of a relative of Ano's. Susan from Shengavit sold a girl from Gyumri. Susan is now in the Abovyan prison." We learned this from a friend of Marieta Musayelyan's who visited our office. Her relative had also been taken by Marieta to Dubai. When we suggested that she go to law enforcement officials, she replied that she was afraid to create trouble.

Edik Bagdasaryan

Support the Sentinels of the Frontlines

One of our reader Chello posted a comment yesterday that read: “$1,300.00.......Not enough to protect our fellow Armenians, who by their very presence are safeguarding our national interests. They are today's sentinels on the frontlines. GIVE TILL IT HURTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

I want to say that Chello was so right by categorizing the people living in Lachin as sentinels. In fact those that have been sticking it out with all the terror they have been subjected to by the NKR government so they will pack up what they have and leave are much more than sentinels. I would go so far and categorize them as real freedom fighters, not giving up and willing to die for what they believe in and that is asserting their right to live on the land that many of our fellow Armenians have spilled their blood for to liberate.

Though we are just getting started collecting money to support our sentinels, I want to report that we have received 3 more donation, each of which were for $100. These donation were delivered by hand to my mother in Glendale. Thank you to those 3 families who made a contribution.

As of today, we have secured $1,600, which is enough to help 8 families in Lachin and empowering 8 persons in the city of Martuni, Artsakh to deliver this desperately needed financial assistance which will ease the suffering those who defend the land we liberated are facing this winter.

I want to add that this first delivery of financial aid is scheduled to take place on January 6th (Armenian Christmas) and we will be taking with us Santa, who will give gifts to the children of the village(s) we distribute our aid to. I can’t wait to see the looks on faces of those villages when the unexpected visitor from the North Pole arrives. Those that have prayed for a miracle will have their prayers answered.

For those of you that wish to participate in our project Hand-To-Hand, please click here to read how the program works and if it makes sense to you, make your tax-deductible donation to the Shahan Natalie Family Foundation, Inc. and send it to 3727 W. Magnolia Blvd, Suite 215, Burbank, CA 91505 or you may click on the donation button below to make a secure credit-card donation via Paypal.

The Shahan Natalie Family Foundation, Inc. is a California 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your donation is tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Please consult your personal accountant for the tax value to your specific situation.

"IT'S A MATTER OF TASTE"

A1+

[08:27 pm] 15 December, 2006

"No individual can pose serious threat to the RA," said Secretary of the Security Council adjunct to the RA President Serge Sargsyan answering the question if leader of the "Union of Armenian Volunteers" Zhirayr Sefilyan was a dangerous person that he was arrested.

"Have you read in the announcements of the national security that Zhirayr Sefilyan is seriously dangerous for the RA? There are 3000-4000 citizens of Armenia in prison at present and separately none of them is dangerous for the country. Some of them can be dangerous for the society, others - for other individuals," said Serge Sargsyan.

Asked by "A1+" what he personally thinks about Karabakh hero Zhirayr Sefilyan, Serge Sargsyan answered, "Sefilyan was one of the thousands who fought in Karabakh, but if you think you can compare him with Monte Melkonian or with other commanders, it's a matter of taste."

####

Yes there were thousands that claim to have fought in the Artsakh liberation war, but unlike Sarkisyan, Sefilyan actually did engage the enemy when liberating Shushi. It may be a “matter of taste” to some, but the reality is that Sarkisyan and company when going to battle to liberate Shushi (President Kocharian was also with him), Sarkisyan’s group got lost in the overgrown forest below Shushi and they were able to find their way out after Shushi was liberated. Though they had intentions to participate, they never engaged the enemy, though they do brag about how they battled the Azeris when THEY liberated Shushi. Is Sefilyan a hero like Monte? If Monte was alive today, he would not think of himself as being anymore heroic than other Armenians that really did fight for our liberation. And also keep in mind that Sefilyan came from Lebanon, was a commander of one of the military units that were credited for liberating Shushi. Sarkisyan may have also been credited for liberating Shushi, but in fact did not. My “matter of taste” would say that Sarkisian needs to be exposed for who he really is and made to answer for everything he has done in the past.

Sarkisian Denies Huge Fortune

RFE/RL Armenia Report - 12/15/2006
By Ruzanna Stepanian

Defense Minister Serzh Sarkisian laughed off on Friday a magazine report ranking him among Armenia's ten wealthiest men along with President Robert Kocharian and four other senior government officials.

The list appeared in the first issue of a monthly publication which claims to be the Armenian version of the U.S. magazine `Forbes.' It is topped by Gagik Tsarukian, a millionaire businessman close to President Robert Kocharian. The latter holds seventh place in the rankings, followed by Sarkisian.

The glossy magazine offered no financial estimates of their wealth. But according to the Yerevan daily `Haykakan Zhamanak,' it believes Tsarukian is worth $500 million and estimates Sarkisian's assets at $150 million.

`So little?' Sarkisian joked when asked by journalists to comment on the information.

`Am I really one of Armenia's ten richest men? How come you don't know such simple things?' he asked sarcastically.

Sarkisian is widely regarded as Armenia's second most powerful man who wields substantial influence on economic affairs and sponsors a circle of wealthy businessmen and government officials. One of them, customs chief Armen Avetisian, is the second in the published rankings.

Incidentally, the new Armenian magazine is run by a talk show host working for a television station controlled by Tsarukian. Sarkisian pounced on this fact, indicating that he believes Tsarukian himself drew up and publicized the list. He also implied that he shares the widely held belief that the ambitious tycoon grossly underreports his earnings to evade taxes.

`The list also includes some businessmen,' Sarkisian said. `Do you know that those businessmen had to disclose their income? Did they really disclose it? Please ask them, the publishers. It looks like one of the publishers himself included his name [on the list].'

`Ask him how much he declared. If his [income] declaration is credible, then so is the sum attributed to me,' he added.

The scathing comments are certain to stoke talk of an unfolding rivalry between Sarkisian's governing Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) and Tsarukian's Prosperous Armenia, which many observers consider Kocharian's new support base. Both parties intend to make a strong showing in next year's parliamentary elections.

Six and a half Armenian families in Lachin will get a helping Hand-To-Hand from the Diaspora

Things are really starting to pick up. We have received two more donation from the Chicagoland area for our program Hand-To-Hand. One of the donations is for $200 (TWO HUNDRED) and the other for $1,000 (ONE THOUSAND)!!! This brings our total so far of money collected to $1,300 (ONE THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED).

A HUGE thank you to a couple of conscientious socially responsible calibrators of our program, who really have put their money where their mouths are. You have empowered six common citizens in the city of Martuni, Artsakh to deliver desperately needed monetary support to six Armenian families in Lachin who this winter were facing starvation.

I have also received word from one of our readers (who is also one of the donors mentioned above) that our mailing address in the U.S. has been difficult to find. I apologize and hope by tomorrow this error will be corrected. The donor also mentioned that there are a few more donation coming from Chicagoland Armenians, which I will let you know as soon as my people in America tell me is in our hands.

For those of you who want to get involved in helping fellow Armenians in Lachin who are truly facing hard times, you may do so by passing this message on to everyone you know and by clicking on the donation link below to make your tax-deductible contribution with a credit-card securely via Paypal, or send in your tax-deductible check or money-order made payable to:

THE SHAHAN NATALIE FAMILY FOUNDATION, INC.
3727 WEST MAGNOLIA BLVD., SUITE 215, BURBANK, CA 91505

The Shahan Natalie Family Foundation, Inc. is a California 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your donation is tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Please consult your personal accountant for the tax value to your specific situation.

Triple Digits

Our project Hand-To-Hand is picking up momentum. Tonight we received our 3rd donation from London and the $40 (FORTY) donation brings our collected total up to $100 (ONE HUNDRED). We are now halfway to helping 1 (ONE) family in Lachin who are facing starvation this winter and empowering a common citizen in the city of Martuni, Artsakh to deliver our direct financial aid.

For those interested in participating in helping out a family in Lachin who is truly in need, take a look at our project Hand-To-Hand, read it over and if it makes sense to you, click on the donation button or mail in a check and in return you will get the satisfaction of knowing you did something to help out. In addition to this, you will receive a letter of recognition from the Shahan Natalie Family Foundation, Inc, suitable for framing and also for those of you who live in the United States, can use it as a deduction on your taxes.

Please make checks payable to:
THE SHAHAN NATALIE FAMILY FOUNDATION, INC.
3727 WEST MAGNOLIA BLVD., SUITE 215, BURBANK, CA 91505

The Shahan Natalie Family Foundation, Inc. is a California 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your donation is tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Please consult your personal accountant for the tax value to your specific situation.


Thank you to those 3 (THREE) donors from the U.S. and Europe for taking up the challenge of helping out our fellow Armenians in Lachin who are facing starvation this winter.

OFFICE OF OPPOSITIONAL PARTY SET ON FIRE

A1+
[05:15 pm] 14 December, 2006

Yesterday evening unknown people tried to set fire to the office of Armenian Liberal-Progressive Party (LPP), located on Abovyan 22.

At about 9 p.m. the residents of the building took notice of the fire and rapidly extinguished it with joint measures. Shortly afterwards, the members of the party and the police arrived at the site.

Hovhannes Hovhannisyan, leader of the party, informed us that unknown people poured petrol on the door of the office and burnt it.

But for the hasty reaction of the residents, the whole office and even the building would have countered serious problems.

Mr. Hovhannisyan doesn't want to give political estimation to the event. He only notes that he hasn't got enemies and the hooliganism is likely connected with the political activity of their party.

`LPP is a political party; we are engaged in politics and have no other business to do here. I have been in the political sphere over the past eight years. I don't want to give any political estimation as I am not sure of anything», said Hovhannes Hovhannisyan.

A criminal action has been brought in this respect.

ARMENIA: ARREST OF GOVERNMENT CRITIC ON COUP CHARGES PROMPTS CONCERNS

Onnik over at oneworld.am wrote an article that was published on EURASIA INSIGHT regarding the Zhirayr Sefilian arrest. It's a good overview of what is going on and why they arrested Zhirayr, what is going in Lachin and so on. You can read the article by clicking here.

ZHIRAYR SEFILIAN DEFENCE COMMITTEES FORMED IN YEREVAN, BEIRUT, MONTREAL, TORONTO AND LOS ANGELES

Noyan Tapan
Dec 14 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 14, NOYAN TAPAN. The committee "Support for Zhirayr Sefilian" was created in Yerevan on December 14. NT was informed from member of the public initiative "Liberated Territories Protection" Armen Yeghian that the committee's tasks, goals and composition will be announced on December 15.

According to him, committees for defence of Zh. Sefilian are being formed in the Diaspora. Such committees have already been created in Beirut, Montreal, Toronto and Los Angeles. The committees staged protests in front the Armenian embassy in Canada and the Armenian consulate in Los Angeles, demanding that Zh.

Sefilian be released and granted Armenian citizenship. To recap, the Lebanese citizen Zhirayr Sefilian, who is the coordinator of the initiative "Liberated Territories Protection" and commander of the special Shushi battalion, and Vardan Malkhasian, leading member of the same initiative, were arrested by the RA National Security Service on December 10. A criminal case was opened against them based on the RA Criminal Code's Article 301 "Public Calls to Change Constitutional Order by Violence". The court chose a 3-month arrest as a measure of restraint against them.

Armenian’s Presidential Advisor Seyran Avagyan threatens mass media to not get involved Sefilyan’s arrest

I’m having a real problem comprehending events around the arrest of Zhirayr Sefilyan. The Armenian authorities are fighting anyway they can to retain the fragile control they presently think they have.

An article in Armenia Now titled “Power and Property: Arrest of activist has its roots in arguments over Artsakh’s limits” has a paragraph that I just can’t seem to get over that reads:

'Meanwhile, presidential advisor Seyran Avagyan on December 11 advised the mass media not to get involved in the case of Sefilyan’s arrest. He said: “Sefilyan’s detention is a matter strictly for the law-enforcement bodies and one should treat with caution issues like this and no one must meddle in the affairs of others. The mass media must mind their job and the law-enforcers doing theirs. One shouldn’t overestimate their powers."'


I’m not sure exactly what to make of this statement from the President’s office other than just maybe they know their long apposed totalitarian ways of governing Armenia is coming to an end and Sefilian’s arrest could turn into the straw that will finally break the camels back. I sure hope so.

And an update on Hand-To-Hand, the project that will provide direct monetary relief to starving families in Lachin that some are also facing death this winter. We received another donation in the amount of $10 from someone in Indianapolis, Minnesota. A big thank you to our 2 (TWO) donors. Just an update. After originally posting our plea and 467 hits to this site, we have secured $60 (SIXTY) dollars in donation and are 70% away to helping 1 (ONE) family in Lachin and empowering 1 (ONE) person in the city of Martuni, Artsakh to deliver our collective monetary relief. For those of you interested in helping out, don’t be shy. Even if you can only donate $1, that too will be of help and can do it by clicking on the donation button below or click here.

Please make checks payable to:
THE SHAHAN NATALIE FAMILY FOUNDATION, INC.
3727 WEST MAGNOLIA BLVD., SUITE 215, BURBANK, CA 91505

The Shahan Natalie Family Foundation, Inc. is a California 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your donation is tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Please consult your personal accountant for the tax value to your specific situation.