7 Immigrants Held in Extortion, Assault Case

Seven Russian Armenian immigrants were arrested by FBI agents and Glendale police Thursday on charges of using strong-arm tactics to extort money from fellow emigres.

An eighth suspect was being sought.

Indictments returned by a Los Angeles federal grand jury accused all eight of extortion and using threats and violence to interfere with commerce.

One victim, Mher Agadjanian, was allegedly kicked and severely beaten while being held prisoner for five hours in the back of an A&H; Satamian’s check cashing office in Hollywood.

The indictment said the store’s owner demanded $15,000 from him because relatives of Agadjanian’s ex-girlfriend cashed some bad checks at a branch of A&H; Satamian’s business in Yerevan, Armenia.

Agadjanian was finally released after his mother surrendered several valuable religious icons, candelabra and a silver picture frame, according to the indictment.

Charged in the case were Norik Satamian, 46, of North Hollywood; his son, Armen, 25, also of North Hollywood, and his son-in-law, Karen Tony Manukian, 26, of Glendale.

A bloodstain found on a desk in Satamian’s office was determined to be from Agadjanian, said Assistant U.S. Atty. Stephen G. Larson.

In a separate case, five defendants were accused of trying to extort money from the owners of a Glendale sewing business.

Henzel Harutian, 57, and his wife, Nelli, 53, of Mecca in Riverside County, and Albert Armbarsunian, 58, and Edouard Terterian, 36, of Van Nuys, were accused of extorting money and property from Armen and Anahit Eloyan, owners of California Master-Sew Contractors.

The Eloyans bought the business from Harutian, who later threatened to destroy the store and evict the Eloyans, the indictment said.

Harutian was also accused of threatening to harm the couple if they did not pay $100,000 he claimed they owed him.

Also charged in the indictment was Zaven Movsisyan of Van Nuys. He is listed as a fugitive.

Timothy P. McNalley, head of the FBI’s Los Angeles field office, and Glendale Police Chief Russell Siverling said they hoped the arrests will send a message to those who try to victimize recent immigrants by threats and intimidation.