FBI offering $50,000 reward in Armenian church arsonDecember 18, 2020 - 15:10 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the United States is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of the individual(s) responsible for the arson at St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church in San Fransisco, the FBI announced on Twitter. The FBI’s San Francisco Field Office, in conjunction with the San Francisco Police Department, is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the person(s) responsible for the September 17 arson at the church. The unknown perpetrator(s) set fire to the church’s administration building, which housed offices, a library, and a Sunday school. The building sustained significant fire, smoke, and water damage. No one was injured. While announcing the reward in a video recorded in front of the church, FBI San Francisco Special Agent in Charge Craig Fair said that the investigation was about protecting the congregation’s first amendment rights, which protect the freedom of religion. “This act of violence was not just an attack on a building, but on a congregation,” Fair said. “This was an attack on a community.” Around the time of the fire, church leaders told asbarez.com that they suspected the fire was harassment. The incident followed an act of vandalism back in July when someone spray-painted the Krouzian-Zekarian Vasbouragan Armenian School and the adjacent community center with anti-Armenian, pro-Azerbaijani graffiti. The FBI asked that anyone with information concerning the case contact the FBI’s San Francisco Field Office at (415) 553-7400, the San Francisco Police Department’s Anonymous Tip Line at (415) 575-4444, or Text a Tip to TIP411 and begin the text message with SFPD, which guarantees the callers’ anonymity. You may also contact your local FBI office, the nearest American Embassy or Consulate, or you can submit a tip online. Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | Pashinyan travels to Iran to pay tribute to Raisi, others Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has left for the Islamic Republic of Iran on a working visit. Your home is in Armenia – Ameriabank offers mortgage loans for the Diaspora To buy real estate, Diasporans can apply to Ameriabank online to buy, renovate or build a home anywhere in Armenia. Armenia-Qatar ties discussed in Doha The Secretary of Armenia’s Security Council met with the Deputy Secretary General of the National Security Council of Qatar. ARARAT special evening dedicated to Aznavour's 100th Anniv. On May 20 ARARAT legendary Armenian brandy, celebrated the centennial of Maestro Charles Aznavour with a special event. |