SUMMARY OF THE TRIAL

On December 29th, 2000, Gregorio Hairabedián, with the legal representation of Luisa S. Hairabedian, submitted a claim for the Right to the Truth and the Right to Grief, related to the Genocide of Armenians carried out by the State of Turkey between the years 1915 and 1923, as a result of which, paternal and maternal relatives of his own, residing at Palú and Zeitún respectivelly during that period, were specifically victims of it.

The case is filed with the Federal Court in Criminal and Correctional Matters Number 5 of the Republic of Argentina in charge of Judge Norberto Mario Oyarbide, Court Clerck’s Office Number 10 under the responsability of Mr. Pedro O. Diani.

After appealing unfavorable legal judgements, the Federal Court of Appeals in Criminal and Correctional Matters, ordered to the Judge of First Instance to carry out an investigation, within the framework of what it was given into call ”Trial for the Right to the Truth”, which is currently being in proceedings.

After a diverse number of procedure diligencies, on October 23rd, 2002, the before mentioned Court made a Legal Judgement which states in its fundamental parts: “Buenos Aires, October 23rd, 2002... Resolves:… 2) To request the government of Turkey, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Commerce and Worship of the Argentine Nation, by the channels that may be right and proper: a) To inform in detail the fate of the paternal and maternal relatives of Gregorio Hairabedián, indicated on pages 22 and 23, residing at Palú (Jarput) and Zeitún (Soulemainy), during the events occurred between 1915 and 1923; b) To put the archives related to such events in connection with the claimant’s relatives, whether related to their disappearance, deportation or execution, at the disposal of the undersigned. 3) To request the governments of Great Britain, United States of America, Germany and Vatican State to send all the information contained in their respective archives in connection with the events accurred between 1915 and 1923 in Turkey, in the vilayets of Trebizond, Erzeroum, Bitlis, Diarbekir, Jarput and Sivàs, and to inform whether their records contain any entry regarding the claimant’s relatives. 4) To request the United Nations Information Office to send copy of the document identified as E/CN.4/Sub.2/1985/6 designated “Revised and Updated Report on the Question of the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide” prepared by Ben Whitaker and approved at the 38th Period of Sessions held in August 1985 at the United Nations, and an authenticated copy of the Proceedings of the 38th Period of Sessions, Item 4 of the Provisional Agenda... Be it recorded and notified. (Signature) Norberto M. Oyarbide, Federal Judge”.

Subsequently, the corresponding International Letters Rogattory were served, which are already radicated in the respective countries. The Federal Republic of Germany and the Vatican State replied to them informing that the Historical and Political Archives were opened and avaiable at the disposal of the claimants. It must be underlined that the documents that might be extracted from those archives are crucial as documental proof to the Trial for the Right to the Truth and Grief related to the Genocide of Armenians already taking place in the argentine Tribunals.
On March, 2005, the Judge Oyarbide, ordered the delivery of new Letters Rogattory to Egypt, Jordan, Palestine, Iran, Syria, Lebanon, International Comitte of the Red Cross and the Armenian Church.