External session of the 5th garrison military court of the South Caucasus military okrug (district) of the Russian Armed Forces has commenced Wednesday in Gyumri, Armenia  (PHOTOS).  

Valery Permyakov, a soldier of the 102nd Russian Military Base in Gyumri—and who is charged with the murder of seven members of the Avetisyan family in Gyumri—accepted the charges of military desertion, and illegal bearing of arms and ammunition, and which were brought against him. 

According to the indictment, Permyakov, who was on duty, had fled the military base on January 12 at around 2am taking along a rifle, a bayonet-knife, and 60 bullets. The Russian military serviceman had carried out his actions to commit robbery. At around 6am, he had killed the Avetisyan family members, and stolen money and property from the Avetisyan home. The rest of the ammunition was confiscated from the crime scene.

During the aforesaid court session, the soldier also stated that he confirms the testimony he had given during investigation.

But Valery Permyakov refused to testify and respond to questions in court.