All five legal heirs of the victims of the recent murder in Armenia’s Gyumri city have included legal representatives in the criminal case into this tragedy.

One of these attorneys, Yerem Sargsyan, told Armenian News-NEWS.am that, first, they—the legal representatives—will completely familiarize themselves with the particulars of this case, discuss it with their clients, and, subsequently, express views on the case. 

Sargsyan also noted that, aside from getting involved in the case, the legal representatives on Tuesday were informed about the decisions with respect to the commissioning of some forensic examinations.      

But it is not yet known what actions the slain Avetisyan family’s legal heirs will take. 

And reflecting on Armenian Prosecutor General Gevorg Kostanyan’s recent petition to his Russian colleague, and in connection with transferring to the Armenian side the proceedings of the criminal case against the Russian soldier accused in the Gyumri tragedy, Yerem Sargsyan noted that such steps are desired, but we need to wait and see how productive this action will be.

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; and 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 charges. 

The Prosecutor General’s Office of Armenia had stated earlier, however, that Valery Permyakov will face justice under Russian law, and this information had provoked a wave of protests in Armenia, especially in Gyumri and capital city Yerevan, and with a demand that Permyakov be handed over to the Armenian law enforcement.