YEREVAN. – An official from the Investigative Committee of Armenia told a reporter from Haykakan Zhamanak daily that the theory, according to which Russian soldier Valery Permyakov—who is the accused in the recent murder of the Avetisyan family in Gyumri city—had knew someone from the Avetisyan family, has been dismissed in the investigation into this slaughter, the daily reported.

“Theories were circulated immediately after the murder that Permyakov knew an Avetisyan family member by way of the social networks, or in person.   

“The [aforesaid] official, however, who wished to remain anonymous, assured that sufficient evidence was obtained to consider this theory dismissed.  

“Our reporter also learned that the Armenian investigators interrogated Permyakov one more time on Friday [, January 23]. According to our information, he responded to all questions by the investigators,” Haykakan Zhamanak wrote.

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.