ARMENIAN INTELLIGENCE OFFICE HEAD CONFLICTS WITH DM

Today, Azerbaijan
June 20 2006

Armenian Armed Forces intelligence office head, Major-General
Basenchi Azoyan became victim of conflict with the Defense Minister
Serj Sarkisyan.

This is stated on a forum section in an Armenian internet site. The
author of the story writes that there are mysterious nuances in the
death of Azoyan, who died suddenly at the age of 59, APA reports.

Stating that Major-General Azoyan served in the Armenian Defense
Ministry for a long time, the author said Azoyan pointed out shortfalls
in Armenia, especially in the Defense Ministry.

"Azoyan got furious by the immoral way of live of the Defense Minister
Serj Sarkisyan, who has opportunities to significantly influence in
adoption of political decisions in the country and his embezzling
great deal of money allocated to the Army. Knowing that Serkisyan
ordered to tap the conversations of Armenian military men attending
international organizations, Azoyan said Russia ordered the Defense
Minister to do it.

Azoyan used to tell his close surrounding that Serkisyan, who informed
Azerbaijanis of the plans of his companion-in-arms in the Shusha
prison once and was released by Russians’ interference failing to
protect his dignity, would not be an honorable man, and he had no
moral right to rule the state," the author writes.

Armenian officer in his heartfelt words in the forum says that Basenchu
Azoyan wanted President Robert Khochariyan to receive him regarding
the miserable situation in the Defense Ministry. He appealed to
former parliament speaker, leader of the Orinats Erkir Party Arthur
Bagdasaryan for conveying his request to the President.

"Bagdasaryan did not implement his request. Serj Sarkisyan threatened
Azoyan obviously. He even told him to leave the post if he wanted
his family to be safe and sound. After that Basenchi Azoyan died
mysteriously," the author concluded.

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