Opposition lawmaker inquires about Gyumri massacre suspect (video)
Opposition lawmaker Nikol Pashinyan today spoke about the marked increase in ceasefire violations along the Line of Contact and the subsequent legal processes. Then he referred to the murder of the seven-member Avetisyan family in Armenia’s Gyumri city, which was allegedly committed by Valeri Permyakov, a soldier serving at Russian military base 102 stationed in Gyumri. Pashinyan focused on Permyakov’s actions, including his attempt to cross Armenia’s border with Turkey. The lawmaker stressed that Permyakov is viewed as a trespasser in the criminal case. “If a trespasser is arrested on the border, a protocol is drawn up immediately and his things are confiscated as a rule. Then he is handed over to the law enforcement authorities of the given country. As you know Permyakov was transported to Russian 102nd military base. He was not handed over to Armenian law enforcement agencies. Why don’t our government agencies ensure the enforcement of law?” said Pashinyan. Then he said that Armenian Prosecutor-General Gevorg Kostanyan has already submitted a formal request to his Russian counterpart, Yury Chayka, saying that the high-profile case should be transferred to Armenian jurisdiction. “Why should we ask them to transfer the case to Armenia? Investigative authorities in Armenia have said repeatedly that they are conducting the investigation. Our government should demand the handover of the Russian soldier to Armenian custody,” said Pashinyan. Minister of Justice Hovhannes Manukyan said relevant authorities have already given explanations on the issue, and the government does not consider it appropriate to report additional information on the matter for several reasons. “We are concerned about undue interventions into the investigation, those including political speeches and statements. The government reaffirms its commitment to finding a solution that will fair and consistent with public perceptions,” said the minister. Permyakov has been kept under arrest at the Gyumri-based Russian military base ever since being arrested, for the murder of a seven-member family in Gyumri - Seryozha Avetisyan, his wife Hasmik, daughter Aida, son Armen, daughter-in-law Araksya, two-year-old granddaughter Hasmik and 6-month-old baby boy Seryozha, who died of his stab injuries a week later.
