YEREVAN - In the early evening on October 30, 2000, Hovhanes Samveli Mahserejian, alias "Hovik," was arrested by the Los Angeles Police in the city of Reseda, county of Los Angeles, district of San Fernando Valley. He has been charged with attempted vehicular manslaughter, attempted murder by assault and battery using a dangerous weapon, vandalism and damage to personal property; namely, an automobile, and attempting to flee the scene of the crime.

Hovik Mahserejian, a businessman and owner of Hye Keer Printing-Bookstore, 7625 White Oak Ave., Reseda, was captured by local residents while trying to flee the area where he committed his violent act. The neighborhood residents disarmed and held him until the police arrived. The police handcuffed the murder suspect and took him to Los Angeles Prison. Later, he was released after posting bond.

Mahserejian will be prosecuted by the Los Angeles City Attorney in December. A twelve-man jury will hear the case. For his premeditated plot to murder an American citizen, he will be sentenced from 20 years to life imprisonment. If convicted under a plea of insanity (his lawyer may try to reduce his sentence), Hovik will be sent behind bars in an institution for the mentally ill. A civil suit is underway for $5 million in damages. His house, business and personal properties, bank accounts, etc. will be confiscated.

The arrest of Hovik Mahserejian, besides involving an act of violence and brutality of a criminal individual, may lead him and his associates in direct connections with the group of terrorists who plotted the failed attempt to assassinate the President of the Republic of Nagorno Karabagh Arkady Ghugasian and the murder of Parliament members of the Republic of Armenia.

Hovik Mahserejian is a known friend and business partner of a foreign-born television personality in Yerevan - a staunch supporter of the former minister/general of the Armed Forces of Nagorno Karabagh, Samvel Babayan. Babayan is now imprisoned on charges of masterminding and carrying out the attempted murder of Ghugasian. Mahserejian, together with the former prime minister of the Republic (now under house arrest) and the general are alleged in a conspiracy to rob the country by establishing bogus businesses engaged in the production and exportation of illicit goods.

Mahserejian is being investigated for abusing his membership and association with certain Armenian political, cultural and church organizations in promoting the sale and distribution of contraband goods in violation of the United States Trademark and Interstate Commerce Laws.

Sarkis Mahserejian, the brother of Hovik, along with Hovik and a conspirator, was also involved in assault and battery violence last year. His case is expected to be reopened and prosecuted in Los Angeles Municipal Courthouse. When convicted, he will be sentenced to 5 to 10 years in prison and deported after release.

The public is warned that both Mahserejian brothers are considered violent individuals dangerous to the community. Also, individuals who have financed Hovik in his treacherous activities in Yerevan and Stepanakert, as well as associates in crime including a local attorney, have been identified and are under surveillance by authorities. It is expected that questioning of the Mahserejians by the FBI will reveal more on this cell of international terrorists and assassins.

The forthcoming court hearings will be announced and will be open to the public. More information may be obtained by contacting the Los Angeles Police Department.

An end must be put to the criminal elements in the Armenian Diaspora who, under the pretence of patriotism, are engaged in profiteering, abuse and disgrace of the peoples of the Republics of Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh. The activities of the Mahserejians in the United States and abroad will certainly involve the Federal Government authorities and agencies.

If anyone has further information that can connect the Mahserejian brothers to the Middle East anti-American terrorist groups, illicit activities overseas and within the United States, and conspiracy in terrorist activities in Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh, please contact the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Washington, DC, the local FBI and the INS offices.