ARMENIAN-AMERICANS FILE LAWSUIT IN US AGAINST TURKEY, BANKS OVER CENTURY-OLD LOSSES

The Associated Press
Jul 29, 2010 16:58:48 PM

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Armenian-Americans have filed a lawsuit in Los
Angeles against the Turkish government and two major Turkish banks
for alleged damages dating back nearly a century.

Attorneys say heirs of Armenians killed and driven out of Turkey in
1915 are entitled to billions of dollars for property seized from
their ancestors. They are seeking class-action status for the case
filed Thursday.

Attorneys say the case is the first Armenian lawsuit directly naming
the Turkish government as a defendant. Also named are the Central
Bank of Turkey and T.C., Ziraat Bankasi. Emails to both banks were
not immediately returned.

The lawsuit says the property taken includes businesses, bank deposits
and vast amounts of land. Lawyers say some priceless artifacts seized
are now on display in Turkish museums.




From: A. Papazian