Capital FM, Kenya
June 10 2006

Armenians declared ‘persona non grata’
By Bernard Momanyi

The government has finally deported the two controversial Armenians
and two other foreigners following Thursday night’s fracas at the
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport where they roughed up customs
officials.

Artur Margrayan and his brother Sargsyan left the country last night
to Dubai after they were declared persona non grata by the Kenyan
Government.

They were deported alongside two foreigners Arman Damidri and
Alexander Tashchi.

Police Commissioner Major General Hussein Ali said in a statement
faxed to newsrooms last night that the foreigners will not be allowed
to come back to the country either on transit or through any other
means.

Ali says the deportation follows Thursday night’s serious breach of
security at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport involving the
Armenian brothers and their two colleagues.

The deportation follows a series of high-profile meetings held
yesterday by top security officials where it was resolved that their
continued stay in the country was undesirable and posed a major risk.

On Thursday night, the foreigners roughed up customs officials at the
airport and refused to have their luggage inspected, prompting a
night-long raid at their Runda residence and subsequent arrest.

They further claim to have been denied access to their lawyers, and
have not recorded statements with the police.

The Armenian brothers, who made headlines in March, after allegations
that they were mercenaries, say their arrest is a political frame-up,
blaming Langata MP Raila Odinga for the turn of events.