The issue of the transfer of Valery Permyakov to the Armenian law-enforcers was not discussed during the meeting with First Deputy Defense Minister of Russia, Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan said at today's press conference. He said that the meeting with Arkady Bakhin covered the course of investigation of the family murder in Gyumri. "At that time, the Russian side, including Bakhin, stressed the need for thorough investigation of that horrible crime, punishment of all the culprits in line with the interstate agreement signed by Armenia and Russia. The agreement regulates the issues related to deployment of the Russian military base in Armenia", said Ohanyan.
He added that all the other issues related to the tragedy in Gyumri should be left for consideration of the investigative structures and that the Defense Ministry cannot assume the functions of other structures.
When replying to the journalists' remarks that it's time for Armenia to pay attention to the discipline level at the Russian military base in Armenia given the recent tragedy, Ohanyan said that over the past few years the level of discipline and combat practice of the base has seriously improved and that this is firsthand information. "During the incumbent commander Andrey Ruzinsky's term in office, the contingent has seriously improved its positions. As regards the staff of the base, Armenia has no powers to interfere. This is the affair of the sovereign country - Russia in this case. We cannot decide whom to draft for service in Armenia", he said.
On Jan 12, 6 members of the Avetisyans' family were murdered in Gyumri. Though 2 weeks have passed since the day of the murder, the investigation has not yet reasonably explained the reasons why Valery Permyakov could commit that horrible crime. At the moment, the criminal is staying in the territory of the Russian 102nd military base and the residents of Gyumri still demand transferring Permyakov to Armenian law-enforcers. The only survivor of the Jan 12 tragedy, 6-month-old Seryozha Avetisyan, died of stab wounds on Jan 19.