Permyakov’s Trial to Resume in Gyumri

Russian soldier Valery Permyakov’s trial, who is accused of killing seven members of the Avetisyan family, will continue on March 4 in the 102nd Russian Military base in Gyumri. As in previous court hearings, witnesses connected to the search and arrest of Permyakov will be questioned. 16 witnesses are to be questioned. Most of them, including Sergey Merzhlikin, acting detachment commander who is regulating the process, already appeared to the court. Witnesses are from the 2012 border detachment. Many factors that are associated with the case are incomprehensible for the judicial bodies. Sometimes contradictory testimonies are given not only by different representatives of the detachment, but also by the witnesses during current and preliminary interrogations.

The six members of the Avetisyans family were shot and killed in Gyumri at around 6 a.m. on January 12, 2015. The only survivor was 6-month old Seryozha Avetisyan, who was transferred to a hospital with injuries caused by a cutting and piercing tool. The child’s health condition became worse on January 19. After fighting for his life and undergoing several difficult surgeries for a week, six-month old Seryozha Avetisyan also died on January 19.

There was severe renal insufficiency and cardiac insufficiency, and doctors weren’t able to save his life. Soldier of the 102nd Russian military base stationed in Gyumri, Valery Permyakov was charged with killing the members of the Avetisyan family. Russian border guards found him when he was trying to cross the Armenian-Turkish border and handed him over to the commanders of the 102nd Russian military base. Permyakov confessed his guilt. On August 12, The Russian side sentenced Permyakov to 10 years of impri sonment for desertion and illegal possession of a firearm.

Armenuhi Mkhoyan