Alexander Yenikomshian

Alexander Yenikomshian (also known as Alec or Alex Yenikomechian) is a political activist, founder of the "Miatsum Initiative", Director of the "Monte Melkonyan" public organization, and former member of ASALA (Armenian Secret Army for the Liberation of Armenia). He is best known for his participation in a Geneva hotel bombing on October 3, 1980, when a bomb that he was preparing with another militant, went off prematurely, leaving him blind. The two – Suzy Mahseredjian from Canoga Park, California, and Alexander Yenikomshian – were arrested. Their arrest lead to the formation of a new ASALA group called the "October 3 Group," which subsequently attacked Swiss targets in reprisal against the arrest and prosecution of Mahseredjian and Yenikomshian.^[1][2][3]

List of attacks by October 3 Group

• October 10, 1980 Beirut - Two bombs explode near Swiss offices in West Beirut, causing extensive damage to property and threatening the lives of innocent people. The ASALA "October 3 Group", demanding the release of Suzy Mahseredjian of Canoga Park, California, and Alexander Yenikomshian, by Swiss authorities, claims responsibility for these bombings

• October 12, 1980 London - A Swiss shopping complex in central London is damaged by a bomb blast. Callers claim the explosion was the work of “October 3”.

• October 13, 1980 Paris - A Swiss tourist office is damaged by a bomb explosion. “October 3” again claims credit.

• October 21, 1980 Interlaken, Switzerland - A bomb is found in a Swiss express train coming from Paris. Luckily, it does not explode. “October 3” is believed to be behind the action, which could have caused a catastrophe.

• November 4, 1980 Geneva - The Swiss Palace of Justice in Geneva is heavily damaged by a bomb explosion. Credit is claimed by “October 3”.

• November 10, 1980 Rome - Five people are injured in attacks on the Swissair and Swiss Tourist offices. ASALA and “October 3” claim credit.

• November 25, 1980 Geneva - The offices of the Union of Swiss Banks are hit by a bomb explosion. Responsibility is claimed by “October 3”.

• December 5, 1980 Marseilles - A police expert defuses a time bomb left at the Swiss Consulate in Marseilles. “October 3” claims responsibility.

• December 15, 1980 London - Two bombs placed in front of the French Tourism Office in London are defused by a Scotland Yard bomb squad. “October 3” claims the bombs are a warning to the French for assistance they have rendered the Swiss in fighting Armenian terrorism.

• December 25, 1980 Zurich - A bomb explosion destroys a radar monitor at Kloten Airport, and a second explosive planted on the main runway of the airport is defused. “October 3” claims credit for these attempted mass-murders.

• December 29, 1980 Madrid - A Spanish reporter is seriously injured in a telephone booth while calling in a story to his paper about the bomb attack on the Swissair offices. “October 3” claims responsibility.

• December 30, 1980 Beirut - Bomb attack on the Credit-Suisse offices. ASALA and “October 3” fight over who gets the credit.

• January 2, 1981 Beirut - In a press communiqué, ASALA threatens to "attack all Swiss diplomats throughout the world" in response to the alleged mistreatment of "Suzy and Alex" in Switzerland. On January 4, ASALA issues a statement giving the Swiss a few days to think things over.

• January 14, 1981 Paris - A bomb explodes in the car of Ahmet Erbeyli, the Economic Counselor of the Turkish Embassy. Erbeyli is not injured, but the explosion totally destroys his car. A group calling itself the "Alex Yenikomechian Commandos" of ASALA claims credit for the explosion.

• January 27, 1981 Milan - The Swissair and Swiss Tourist offices in Milan are damaged by bomb explosions. Two passers-by are injured. “October 3” claims credit for the bombing in a call to local media representatives.

• February 5, 1981 Paris - Bombs explode in the TWA and Air France offices. One injured, heavy material damage. “October 3” claims credit.

• August 20, 1981 Paris - Explosion at Alitalia Airlines. “October 3” is back in action.

• October 3, 1981 Geneva - The main post office and the city courthouse are hit by bomb explosions. An ASALA member is scheduled to go on trial for murder in the courthouse. “Ninth of June” claims credit for the attacks, which leave one person injured.

Suzy Mahseredjian was subsequently released by a Swiss court and allowed to return to the United States after she was accused of affiliation with ASALA

References

Persondata
Name	Yenikomshian, Alexander
Alternative names
Short description	Armenian politician
Date of birth
Place of birth
Date of death
Place of death