On January 28, 1982 two Armenian gunmen assassinated Kemal Arikan, Turkish Consul General to Los Angeles, in his automobile while waiting at an intersection. The Justice Commandos of Armenian Genocide (JCAG) claimed responsibility. One of the assassins, Hampig Sassounian, a 19-year-old Armenian American member of the Justice Commandos of Armenian Genocide (JCAG), was arrested shortly thereafter. Sassounian's father stated on public television, "I am glad that a Turk was killed, but my son did not do it." Sassounian's accomplice, believed to be Krikor Saliba, escaped to Beirut. Los Angeles police searched Sassounian's automobile, seizing a .357 caliber bullet and a one-way airline ticket from Los Angeles to Beirut. Police also searched Sassounian's home, where they seize a gun receipt, pistol targets, and a manifesto of "The Armenian Youth Federation." Although Sassounian plead not guilty, the Court convicted him of first-degree murder and sentenced him to life imprisonment. Sassounian's sentence was later changed to 25 years-life in an appeal agreement in which he finally confessed to the killing. On October 6, 1980 a first attempt was made on Arikan's life, when his home was firebombed.
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