Shirak Governor calls for sobriety, says they are taking measures to defuse tensions in Gyumri
No one can understand the actions of that ‘scalawag, a rascal,’ therefore many in Gyumri wonder why he [Valery Permyakov] chose the Avetisyan family and murdered them, governor of Shirak province told a news conference today. Speaking about last week’s demonstrations in Gyumri that ended in clashes with the police, Felix Tsolakyan said he joins the just demand of Gyumri residents and their peaceful demonstration but he is against all kinds of disorders and extreme manifestations. He called for sobriety and said a rascal cannot drive a wedge between Armenia and Russia. “We are all guilty for the tragedy,” said the regional governor. In reply to a question of Aravot.am whether the condolences of the Russian President were not belated, Felix Tsolakyan advised avoiding hasty judgments. In reply to another question of Aravot daily what steps Gyumri authorities are taking to defuse tensions in Gyumri, the governor said they are working with the military base, the Russian Embassy and people. “I count on the cool judgment and common sense of the Gyumri people,” he said. Six members of the Avetisyan family – Seryozha Avetisyan, his wife Hasmik, daughter Aida, son Armen, daughter-in-law Araksya, and two-year-old granddaughter Hasmik – were murdered in their home on January 12. Only the six month-old Seryozha Avetisyan survived the vicious murder, who was hospitalized with stab wounds in his chest. Later on the same day Valery Permyakov, a Russian soldier stationed at military base No. 102 in Gyumri was arrested by Russian border guards and Armenian security forces when attempting to cross the border with Turkey. Permyakov confessed to the murders. He was reported to have deserted his post at night and gone on rampage, killing the six people of the Avetisyan family. Seryozha Avetisyan died in hospital on January 19, a week after stab wounds inflicted on him in the brutal attack.
