Russian soldier who killed Armenian family in Gyumri sentenced to life imprisonment

A Russian soldier who killed an Armenian family after absconding from his military base in Gyumri in January 2015 has been sentenced to life imprisonment by an Armenian court. Valery Permyakov was sentenced on Tuesday by an Armenian judge Harutyun Movsisyan.

The prosecuting attorney had earlier demanded a life term for the accused, while Permyakov himself had pleaded guilty, saying "he was sorry."

Six members of the Avetisyan family, including a 2-year-old girl, were found dead on January 12, 2015, in their home in Gyumri. All the victims were shot or stabbed; a 6-month-old boy, stabbed in the attack, died of injuries a week later.

Permyakov, who was 18 at the time of the killings, had been detained near Armenia's border with Turkey after fleeing the Russian base. Tuesday's verdict does not say where Permyakov is to serve his life term.

Permyakov's lawyer Eduard Aghajanyan, told tert.am, "This question remains open to us as well. After the court verdict take effect, the relevant department of Armenia's Ministry of Justice will deal with the matter."

The case caused outrage in Armenia, and for a moment strained relations between Russia and its ally in the South Caucasus.

source; commonsapce.eu with tert.am and agencies

photo: The court session where judge Movsisyan sentenced a Russian soldier on Tuesday for life imprisonment for killing an Armenian family in Gyumri. (Photolure/tert,am)

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell underlined that the European Union will make every effort to support the peace process and to remain a committed partner to the Afghan people. "Of course, we will have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option.  We are clear on that: there is no alternative to a negotiated political settlement, through inclusive peace talks.
Editor's choice
News
LINKS Europe announces the names of all the chairpersons of the five thematic groups for the development of the Armenia-Azerbaijan dialogue

LINKS Europe announces the names of all the chairpersons of the five thematic groups for the development of the Armenia-Azerbaijan dialogue

LINKS Europe has successfully completed the first phase of its project to develop the Armenia-Azerbaijan dialogue as part of its commitment within the EU4Peace III programme, funded by the European Union. In this first phase, which lasted from September 2024 to April 2025, LINKS Europe conducted an assessment of Armenia-Azerbaijan relations and mobilised the personnel necessary for delivering the project output. LINKS Europe Foundation is pleased to announce the names of the chairs/co-chairs of the five thematic groups within the initiative.  

Popular

Editor's choice
News
LINKS Europe announces the names of all the chairpersons of the five thematic groups for the development of the Armenia-Azerbaijan dialogue

LINKS Europe announces the names of all the chairpersons of the five thematic groups for the development of the Armenia-Azerbaijan dialogue

LINKS Europe has successfully completed the first phase of its project to develop the Armenia-Azerbaijan dialogue as part of its commitment within the EU4Peace III programme, funded by the European Union. In this first phase, which lasted from September 2024 to April 2025, LINKS Europe conducted an assessment of Armenia-Azerbaijan relations and mobilised the personnel necessary for delivering the project output. LINKS Europe Foundation is pleased to announce the names of the chairs/co-chairs of the five thematic groups within the initiative.