YEREVAN. – Zhamanak daily has learned that within the framework of an agreement reached between the relevant services of the Republic of Armenia (RA) and the Russian Federation, the trial of Russian soldier Valery Permyakov—who is charged with the murder of the Avetisyan family members in Gyumri, Armenia—shall take place by August 10, reported the daily. 

“The first court hearing shall take place in Gyumri, at the 102nd Russian Military Base.

“According to our source, once the Russian side publicizes its indictment on Permyakov’s case and it is announced that the further criminal proceedings are handed over to the RA law enforcement authorities, the court hearing may be adjourned and Permyakov will be under the jurisdiction of the RA law enforcement.

“According to our source, the Russian side has agreed that after the trial, when the court will rule, Permyakov will serve his sentence in a prison in Armenia, in all probability, in one of the [prison] cells for those serving life sentences,” wrote Zhamanak.

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; and the baby boy died in hospital on January 19. Valery Permyakov, a serviceman of the 102nd Russian Military Base in Gyumri, stands accused in this crime. Permyakov was apprehended by the Russian border guards, and near the Armenian-Turkish border.

On February 3, Prosecutor General of Armenia Gevorg Kostanyan had petitioned to his Russian counterpart Yury Chaika, with a request that the criminal proceedings launched on this brutal murder be handed over to Armenian law enforcement.