GYUMRI. – Relatives of the Avetisyan family members, who were brutally killed Monday in Armenia’s Gyumri city, were not outside the Shirak Regional Prosecutor’s Office on Thursday, and they have nothing to do with the ensuing clashes in the city.

The slain family’s relatives stated the aforesaid during Friday’s cemetery memorial service for the Avetisyan.

“None of our relatives took part in the incident yesterday [, Thursday,] and also did participate in the organizational work. We mourned for our loss and pain,” they said.

The relatives added that they demand only justice, and that Russian soldier Valery Permyakov, who stands accused of the murder of the Avetisyan family members, is brought to justice in Armenia, and to the fullest extent of the law.

“We don’t want a repeat of what happened to the Avetisyan. Not solely we, but the entire Armenian nation is mourning. Let this be the first and the last time.

“We insist once again: we demand a fair ruling,” stated the Avetisyan family relatives.

As reported earlier, 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.

The soldier is charged under Russian law, with “the murder of more than two people,” and “desertion with a service weapon.” The Investigative Committee of Armenia also has launched a criminal case on the murders.

The Prosecutor General’s Office had said Permyakov will face justice under Russian law, and this information provoked a wave of protests in Armenia, especially in Gyumri and capital city Yerevan.

The police had used special tools to disperse the crowd during Thursday’s clashes in Gyumri, and six police officers and nine civilians had sustained injuries during these clashes.