YEREVAN. – The investigation into the murder of the Avetisyan family in Gyumri city will give the answers to all the questions, the Armenian Minister of Defense Seyran Ohanyan announced at Tuesday’s news conference.

Recalling that the Russian side likewise has condemned this crime, the minister stressed that a serious work awaits the investigative team.

“Ultimately, it is indispensable to reveal whether Permyakov committed the crime [alone], or there are some forces behind him. There are numerous issues of confidential nature,” the minister noted.

In response to a query, Ohanyan stated that the current commander of the Russian military base in Gyumri has done an extensive work to raise discipline at this military base.

“I definitely maintain that the level of discipline has risen [at the Russian military base]. At the same time, much work has been done in terms of being complemented with modern armament,” the Armenian defense minister said.

As reported earlier, six members of the Avetisyan family—including a two-year-old girl—were shot dead, and a six-month-old baby was wounded in their house in Gyumri on January 12; but the baby boy died in hospital on January 19.

Valery Permyakov, a serviceman of the 102nd Russian Military Base in the city, stands accused in this crime. Permyakov was apprehended by the Russian border guards near the Armenian-Turkish border on the same night, he was arrested on January 14, and he is held in custody at the Russian military base.

The soldier is charged under Russian law, with “the murder of more than two people” and “desertion with a service weapon.” And on January 21, the Investigative Committee of Armenia also filed a criminal charge against Permyakov, and with “premeditated murder of two or more persons.” The Russian soldier has accepted the charge.