YEREVAN. – Russian Ambassador to Armenia Ivan Volinkin has issued a statement regarding Monday’s tragedy in Gyumri, the second largest city of Armenia.

“Once again I would like to express sympathy to the relatives and friends of the innocent victims of the criminal action which does not fit into the perception of a normal human. Such atrocities have no justification; they have neither a nationality nor a state affiliation.

“I am convinced that the criminal will be punished by the ultimate gravity of the law. The relevant Armenian and Russian agencies are conducting a joint investigation. I do not doubt that it will be objective and comprehensive.

“There also have been difficult chapters in the centuries-old history of Armenian-Russian friendship, but we have always surmounted the arising difficulties with joint efforts. I believe that this will be so now, as well,” the ambassador specifically stated, informed the press service of the Embassy of Russia in Yerevan.

Six members of the Avetisyan family—including a two-year-old girl—were shot dead, and a six-month-old baby boy was wounded in their house in Gyumri on Monday. 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, and he was arrested on Wednesday. Valery Permyakov is held in custody at the Russian military base.