Armenian FM urges not to link Gyumri tragedy to Armenian-Russian relations
Armenia and Russia have strategic and allied relations and it is not appropriate to link the Gyumri tragedy with these relations, or to speak about the review of Armenian-Turkish relations, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian told reporters on Monday.
Armenia and Russia intend to deepen and develop their relations with joint efforts, Nalbandian said.
He stressed that the Armenian and Russian investigators have full mutual understanding in the investigation of the Gyumri murder. The Minister added that the investigation should be transparent and those guilty should be punished with the utmost severity of the law.
Six members of one family were found dead in their house in Gyumri on January 12. A six-month-old child was hospitalized with stab wounds. He died in hospital on January 19.
Valery Permyakov, a serviceman of the 102nd Russian military base stationed in Gyumri, the main suspect in the murder, was detained by Russian border guards while attempting to cross the Armenian-Turkish border near Yerazgavors village in Armenia’s Shirak province. Permyakov is held in custody at the Russian military base. He is charged with murder and desertion while carrying a weapon given to him for military service.