The office of California Governor Gavin Newsom informed the Armenian National Committee of America Western Region Wednesday that the Governor has decided to allow Hampig Sassounian’s release by waiving any further appeals of the court’s ruling which upheld the Parole Board’s decision to grant parole.
“We are truly grateful to Governor Newsom and his team for keeping the lines of communication open with us, for listening to our concerns, and for making the humanitarian decision to allow Hampig Sassounian’s parole to stand. We look forward to witnessing his long overdue release from prison,” stated ANCA-WR Chair Nora Hovsepian.
It is anticipated that Sassounian’s release will be processed in the coming days pending finalization of the necessary steps under law.
“This is great news for Hampig and the entire Armenian community. We have been waiting for this day for close to 40 years,” attorney Levon Kirakosian, who has been closely engaged with Sassounian’s case for almost four decades, told Asbarez on Wednesday.
The Los Angeles County Superior Court on February 24 reversed a decision by Governor Newson who rejected the parole eligibility and application of Hampig Sassounian, court documents obtained by Asbarez show.
LA County Superior Court Judge William C. Ryan vacated Newsom’s decision to reject Sassounian’s parole and reinstated the California Parole Board’s decision to grant Sassounian parole.
