A number of Russian newspapers in recent days began disseminating information that Russian soldier, Valery Permyakov, accused in the gruesome murder of seven members of the Avetisyan family in Gyumri on January 12, is mentally unfit to stand trial. Citing unidentified sources, they claim that Permyakov is mentally and developmentally delayed and that he should never have been conscripted into the Russian army. This news quickly spread in Russian mass media.
Earlier in the week, the Russian news agency Interfax, citing unnamed sources, wrote that Permyakov’s trial would take place at the Russian military court located in Yerevan. According to Interfax “this decision was taken according to the bilateral agreement about the Russian Military Base stationed in northern Armenia.”
On February 6, the press service of Armenia’s Investigative Committee released a statement saying that there are no grounds confirming that Permyakov suffers from any developmental delays and thus is unfit to stand trial.
“We announce that the investigating body does not possess information regarding the news that has been circulating about the accused Valery Permyakov; such information is not contained in the criminal proceedings,” said the statement and went on to say that the Armenian side has dispatched a number of questions to Russia regarding any medical documents that contain information about the condition of Permyakov’s health, about any medical examinations and subsequent prognosis since his apprehension.
Armenia’s Investigative body also noted that upon receipt of the medical examination conducted by the Russian side, they would conduct their own psychological and psychiatric examinations of the accused.
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In the early morning hours of January 12, six members of the Avetisyan family were brutally murdered in their home. Their six-month-old son Seryozha Avetisyan survived the massacre but died a week later in hospital due to injuries he sustained.
Russian soldier Valery Permyakov, who was stationed at the 102nd Russian Military Base is accused of the multiple murders and according to Armenian officials was apprehended by Russian border guards trying to cross the Armenia-Turkey border. He is currently being held in custody at the Russian base.
Armenia’s Investigative Committee officially charged Valery Permyakov with premeditated murder of more than two people according to Article 104 of the Republic of Armenia’s penal code.
