Monday, January 26 2015 12:54

Armenia and Russia are unanimous that the trial of the Gyumri murder case must be transparent and that all those guilty must be punished most severely, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian told journalists on Monday.

He said that on the day of the tragedy the Armenian President contacted with the Armenian law enforcers and gave them all necessary instructions. "He said that the crime had to be disclosed as soon as possible and that those guilty had to be punished most severely. Our law enforcers keep the President informed and keep in touch with their Russian colleagues. Armenia and Russia are unanimous that trial of this case must be transparent and that all those guilty must be punished most severely," Nalbandian said.

When asked if the Russian border guards acted contrary to existing Armenian-Russian agreements when after catching Valery Permyakov, they gave him to the 102nd Russian military base rather than the Armenian law enforcers, Nalbandian said that generally when two sides are at variance on how to interpret one or another agreement, they should first apply to a foreign ministry and they form a commission. If the commission fails to decide, they resort to diplomacy.  

A family of six members was killed in Gyumri on Jan 12. The only survivor, severely injured six-month-old Seryozha Avetisyan died in hospital on Jan 19. The suspect is Russian soldier Valery Permyakov.  The case is being investigated by a joint Armenian-Russian staff