Shirak Governor calls for sobriety, says they are taking measures to
defuse tensions in Gyumri

18:51 | January 19,2015 | Politics

No one can understand the actions of that ‘scalawag, a rascal,’
therefore many in Gyumri wonder why he [Valery Permyakov] chose the
Avetisyan family and murdered them, governor of Shirak province told a
news conference today.

Speaking about last week’s demonstrations in Gyumri that ended in
clashes with the police, Felix Tsolakyan said he joins the just demand
of Gyumri residents and their peaceful demonstration but he is against
all kinds of disorders and extreme manifestations.

He called for sobriety and said a rascal cannot drive a wedge between
Armenia and Russia. “We are all guilty for the tragedy,” said the
regional governor.

In reply to a question of Aravot.am whether the condolences of the
Russian President were not belated, Felix Tsolakyan advised avoiding
hasty judgments. In reply to another question of Aravot daily what
steps Gyumri authorities are taking to defuse tensions in Gyumri, the
governor said they are working with the military base, the Russian
Embassy and people. “I count on the cool judgment and common sense of
the Gyumri people,” he said.

Six members of the Avetisyan family – Seryozha Avetisyan, his wife
Hasmik, daughter Aida, son Armen, daughter-in-law Araksya, and
two-year-old granddaughter Hasmik – were murdered in their home on
January 12. Only the six month-old Seryozha Avetisyan survived the
vicious murder, who was hospitalized with stab wounds in his chest.
Later on the same day Valery Permyakov, a Russian soldier stationed at
military base No. 102 in Gyumri was arrested by Russian border guards
and Armenian security forces when attempting to cross the border with
Turkey. Permyakov confessed to the murders. He was reported to have
deserted his post at night and gone on rampage, killing the six people
of the Avetisyan family.

Seryozha Avetisyan died in hospital on January 19, a week after stab
wounds inflicted on him in the brutal attack.