ARMENIAN NOW SUES RAILA FOR DEFAMATION
By Richard Munguti

Kenya Times, Kenya
March 30 2006

THE man at the centre of mercenary allegations Artur Margaryan
yesterday filed a defamation suit against Lang’ata Member of Parliament
Raila Odinga.

Margaryan claims that Raila has defamed him by referring to him as
a mercenary.

He denies that he was engaged in mercenary activities and claims
that he was a businessman of International standing, with investments
spread across five countries, Kenya included.

In a court action commenced through Ndonye, Mbugua, Atudo and Macharia
Advocates, Margaryan, who maintains he is an Armenian despite the same
being contested, says that his reputation has sufferred imensely as
a result of Raila’s unfounded, malicious and false allegations.

He claims that Raila made the allegations purposely to discredit and
have him deported to avoid paying back monies he allegedly loaned
him in Dubai.

Margaryan has sued Raila seeking unquantified damages over the alleged
slur, to the effect that he was a mercenary hired by the Government
to eliminate those opposed to the Kibaki administration.

Margaryan is asking the court to compell Raila to publish an apology an
unqualified apology in all the local newspapers, radio and TV stations,
as well as in the international media in a manner commensurate to
the publications.

He is further praying that the court restrains the defendant from
publishing, writing and/or causing to be written or published any
defamatory matters about him (Margaryan).