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I was misquoted, Armenian now claims


By Cyrus Ombati

One of the two men at the centre of mercenary saga, has denied claims that he told off Internal Security minister John Michuki.

The German Spitz that is among the six dogs that Artur Margaryan shipped from Dubai. Pic by Robert Gicheru


Mr Artur Margaryan on Sunday clarified that all he said was that the minister had asked Kenyans not to discuss the matter until investigations are concluded


“Listen carefully, and you must run this, I said the Internal minister had asked all not to talk on the issue they don’t know until the matter is investigated conclusively,” he said on Thursday.

Michuki said the mercenary saga was under investigations and urged leaders to stop politicising it. Margaryan maintained that he feared no one apart from God.

“Christianity began in Armenia before spreading to Rome. It is God who is protecting me,” he said.

He was referring to last Thursday’s incident where a mob threatened to lynch him as he left the Standard Group offices. Margaryan said he knows how to handle hostile crowds and had expected such a situation.

He said no one has threatened him since he set foot in the country and that he loved Kenya. He refused to divulge details of his questioning by police on Friday.

He referred us to his lawyers who he said had more information. Margaryan was on Friday summoned by the team appointed to investigate the saga. He later recorded a statement over the matter.

Businessman Raju Sangani was also questioned and asked to explain his relationship with Margaryan. He reportedly said he was a friend.

Baktash had earlier been quizzed in connection with some of the cars that Margaryan is using.

The investigating team is headed by Nairobi area deputy CID boss Isaiah Osugo and has so far questioned MPs Kalonzo Musyoka and Raila Odinga.

On Sunday, Margaryan maintained he was in the country to invest for the benefit of Kenyans. He said he would put up an investment that will benefit at least 2,000 Kenyans.

Vicious dogs

Meanwhile, the six dogs he promised are finally in town. The dogs arrived from Dubai in cages and are guarding Artur Margaryan’s Runda compound.

Margaryan warned that the animals were dangerous to uninvited guests. They are five black Dobermans and a white one, whose breed we could not ascertain immediately, named Amigo.

Margaryan said they were capable of guarding his premises without a guard.

“They will attack you if you jump into the compound. I don’t care who you are, if you step here because they will maul you,” he warned.

He briefly played with the animals in the compound before stepping out, warning journalists against taking their pictures. Only Amigo barked. Last Thursday, Margaryan said he would import dogs to guard the compound.

As he left, he ordered them back then locked the main gate. One of the dogs started barking as Margaryan drove off in the company of his girlfriend.

He termed the police officer, who was attacked by a dog last week, a thief.

Said he: “I don’t know if he was a policeman because I was not here. He is a thief and anyone who does so will be attacked by the dogs.”

Police investigating the incident were reluctant to comment on the issue, saying they had been warned against doing so. Margaryan said he was in the country to stay, adding that he would not run away as widely anticipated.

He said he had business to do in the country, which he claimed would benefit more than 2,000 Kenyans.

“I have no plan to leave. I am not going to run away because I am here legally and I love Kenya,” he said.

He said his brother, Artur Sargarsyan, was in Dubai and had no plans of coming back soon, unless he was provided with security

Unravelling the mystery

Trade minister, Dr Mukhisa Kituyi, wants the two foreigners deported. Kituyi, who described them “funnily dressed”, said they were in the country illegally. He said they should be investigated and action taken against them. He wondered why there was sluggishness on the side of the Government to respond to calls by Kenyans for action against the duo.

“I wonder why two funnily dressed foreigners can hold the country at ransom. The Government is letting down Kenyans,” Kituyi told journalists in Busia yesterday after attending a funds drive in aid of Busia Friends Church.

He said the continued presence of the foreigners was portraying the Government negatively. “These funny looking people should not be in the country. Their deportation is long overdue,” he added.

And the Anglican Church of Kenya has demanded speedy investigations into the mystery surrounding the two alleged Armenian mercenaries.

The Provost of the All Saints Cathedral, Peter Karanja, said Kenyans should be patient and give the Government a chance to unravel the mystery surrounding the two foreigners. He said the Government should handle the matter with sobriety and come clear over the issue.

“It is only fair and reasonable to judge someone after he has been proven guilty and this applies to both Kenyans and foreigners,” Karanja said after conducting the Sunday Service. He said though the church was not certain about anything, it would only be fair for everyone to be taken as innocent until he is proven guilty in a court of law.

Judging from the display of arrogance and confidence, the provost said there was so much to be investigated and brought to light. He regretted the scenes that took place last week outside the I&M Bank Tower when Margaryan strolled into the streets and was confronted by a mob.

“The issue of national security is a serious matter,” he said.

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