NEW RIDDLE AS AKASHAS NOW DISOWN ARMENIAN CONNECTION
Story By Nation Team
Standard, Kenya
March 20 2006
The man at the centre of mercenary allegations yesterday admitted to
having connections with the family of slain drug baron Ibrahim Akasha.
And for the first time Mr Artur Margaryan displayed what he said was
an Armenian passport to prove his nationality, but refused flip over
the cover, making it impossible to confirm his claims.
Separately, two members of the Akasha family disputed the claims that
they had connections with the two brothers who have been described
as mercenaries by some politicians.
“We don’t know the two,” said one family member who spoke on condition
that their names would not be published.
Last weekend, the Saturday Nation reported that a Mercedes Benz
used by Mr Artur Margaryan was registered in the name of a son the
notorious narcotics dealer Ibrahim Akasha who was shot dead in the
Netherlands five years ago.
On Friday, one of slain Akasha’s sons was among the people interviewed
by police investigating the mercenary allegations. Mr Margayan has
denied reports that a Mercedes Benz parked in his compound belonged
to a member of this family.
Also questioned on Friday was Mr Margaryan and prominent Nairobi
businessman and real estate dealer Raju Sanghani.
Mr Margaryan’s elder brother, Mr Artur Sargasyan, is believed to be
still in Dubai despite earlier indications that he would return to
Kenya before the weekend.
Mr Margaryan spoke of his nationality days after Immigration minister
Gideon Konchellah had said the two foreigners were from the Czech
Republic. Yesterday, Housing Minister Soita Shitanda called on his
Internal Security counterpart John Michuki to order the arrest of
the two brothers until their mission in Kenya was ascertained. The
gripping saga unfolded as Vice President Moody Awori and senior
Government officers avoided Press inquiries on the mystery that has
left Kenyans wondering just who the two Artur brothers were.
Mr Margaryan said he did not wish to comment on investigations by the
police and would abide by Mr Michuki’s statement that public debate
on the matter should cease until investigations were complete.
He told journalists outside his residence: “I will show you my passport
but I’m not giving any more information on this until I have cleared
my name. The men (Mr Michuki) I saw on TV the other night said
investigations were going on and we should not say anything about
this matter until they have concluded investigations. They have taken
statements from all of us.”
Authorities have given no indication about the progress on their
investigations. Sources say senior police officers are under
instructions not to give any information to the media on the
mercenaries saga.
Not even the Nairobi deputy CID boss Isaiah Osugo, the officer
appointed to lead investigations, would comment on the matter.
Reached for comment, Government spokesman Alfred Mutua said: “I can’t
talk to you now, I’m going for a meeting.”
Mr Shitanda, however, said: “The unclear circumstances about their
business needs thorough investigations.”
These sentiments were shared by Assistant minister Bonny Khalwale
who said of the two foreigners should shed light on their business
in Kenya.
Kabete MP Paul Muite, who chairs the Legal Affairs and Administration
of Justice Committee in Parliament, said: “The committee is
investigating this matter and these people very seriously.”
And Kanu Secretary General William Ruto said their access to the VIP
lounge at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport last week was an
indication that the two foreigners had State protection.
Tinderet MP Henry Kosgey challenged government and the Orange
Democratic Movement leaders mentioned in connection with the foreigners
to come clean and tell Kenyans who the foreigners were.
In Busia, Vice President Moody Awori yesterday declined to comment
on the issue.
Mr Awori, who attended a church function in Busia town, was approached
by reporters to explain the government position on the saga, told them:
“Please leave me alone!”
Mr Sargasyan declared at a press conference last week that they were
related to the Armenian Prime Minister and that he was also running
for President.
But sources within the Armenia government said the two did not have
permanent residence in that country and thus did not qualify to run
for office.
The office of the Armenian Prime Minister denied that the duo is
related to the leader, Mr Andranik Markaryan. The Armenian Prime
Minister’s Press secretary, Mery Haroutyan, said the Prime Minister
did not have any relatives by the names Artur Margaryan and Artur
Sargasyan.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
