It is wrong to link the tragedy in Gyumri with Armenian-Russian relations – Armenia’s foreign ministry

It is wrong to link Armenian-Russian relations with the murder of an Armenian family in Gyumri, where the suspect is Russian soldier Valery Permyakov, Armenia’s Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian told journalists on Monday.

As the press office of Armenia’s foreign ministry told EAD, Nalbandian said that Armenia enjoys strategic relations with Russia. “I don’t think it is right to link our friendly relations and the tragedy that took place in Gyumri and that could not but anger people,” the Armenian foreign minister said.

He said that Armenia and Russia are committed to deepening, strengthening and developing their relations.

Nalbandian said that Armenia and Russia are unanimous that the investigation and the trial of the case must be transparent and that those guilty must be charged to the full extent of the law.

On Jan 12, Valery Permyakov, Russian soldier serving in the Russian military base in Gyumri, deserted the unit with a gun with him. He penetrated into a house, shot down the Avetisyan family that lived there. One of the killed was two-year-old child. The same day Permyakov was caught while attempting to cross the Armenian-Turkish border. The only survivor of the shooting, six-month-old Seryozha Avetisyan, was seriously injured and died in hospital on Jan 19. Lots of people gathered in Gyumri with a demand to give Permyakov to the Armenian law enforcers. It is known that Permyakov will be tried in the territory of Armenia. Armenian and Russian investigators have agreed to cooperate on the case. The Armenian side has charged Permyakov with assassination of two and more people. The suspect has pleaded guilty.