ARMENIA - New death sentence

Armenian Bandits Get Death Sentence

A court in Armenia sentenced 2 men to death for leading an armed band that authorities say terrorized the country's 3rd largest city -- killing 5 people, robbing homes and racketeering.

 The Lori Regional Court sentenced Aram Petrosian and Akop Khachatrian to death by firing squad. However, Armenia has a moratorium on the death penalty and the government is preparing to ask parliament to abolish it outright.

 Another 11 members of the gang, including 1 woman, were given sentences from 1 to 14 years.

 Prosecutors accused the band of killing 5 people, including a high- ranking official in the military police, in attacks in and around the city of Vanadzor. They were also accused of attempting to assassinate the city's police chief.