Armenia to Try Russian Soldier for Murder
| Publisher | EurasiaNet |
| Author | Giorgi Lomsadze |
| Publication Date | 15 January 2015 |
| Cite as | EurasiaNet, Armenia to Try Russian Soldier for Murder, 15 January 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/54b7cec24.html [accessed 23 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
A Russian soldier who allegedly massacred an Armenian family is expected to stand trial in Armenia, not Russia. Armenian General Prosecutor Gevorg Kostanian on January 15 made this clear to outraged citizens, who were worried that Armenia would defer justice to its Russian big brother.
The January 12 slaughter of six people in the northwestern town of Gyumri, the site of Russia's 102nd army base, could not have come at a worse time for Armenia. Just ten days previously, its controversial membership in the Moscow-led Eurasian Economic Union had become official. The sign-on took place amidst heavy criticism of Yerevan's economic and security dependence on Russia.
The Gyumri murder now has put Armenia's policies toward Russia further to the test. Angry Gyumri residents have demanded the handover of the alleged culprit, Private Valery Permyakov, and accused the authorities of mollycoddling Moscow.
Russia's ambassador to Armenia, Ivan Volynkin, appears aware of the risks of such sentiments. In January 15 comments to the state-financed Russian news outlet Sputnik (picked up by Armenian news outlets), he expressed condolences for the tragedy, but emphasized that "this problem must not be politicized."
"Crime has no nationality, especially in this case," he emphasized.
Armenia's small Heritage Party, the most outspoken of Armenian political party against economic integration with Russia, so far has called only for a transparent investigation into the crime.
To contain criticism of how the case is being handled, General Prosecutor Kostanian, though, has been ready with the explanations.
At a press-conference on January 15, he stated that an agreement with Russia stipulates that crimes committed on the Gyumri-base or against Russia must be handled by the Russian side, the Tert.am news-site reported. Permyakov's case falls under both jurisdictions, Kostanian claimed. The conscript from Siberia is being investigated for homicide by the Armenian police and for desertion by Russian military investigators.
"We should not let emotions get the best of us as this matter is regulated by international law," the prosecutor said, adding, "We are not talking about making any concessions to anyone."
For now, Private Permyakov remains on Russia's Gyumri base. Potential motives for his alleged actions against the Avetisians have not been named.
Residents of Gyumri gathered today for the family's funeral. The sole survivor of the massacre, a six-month boy, remains in intensive care.
