YEREVAN (A.W.)—State prosecutors confirmed today that Valery Permyakov, the Russian serviceman accused of murdering seven members of the Avetisyan family in Gyumri, will be tried by an Armenian court.
The Office of the Prosecutor-General said that the trial will proceed in Armenia after a “settlement of procedural issues,” reported RFE/RL’s Armenian Service Azatuyun.am. In a statement, the office said that while it is unclear when the trial will take place, it will certainly be carried out in Armenian courts. “We cannot speak of concrete time frames at the moment. What is clear, however, is that Armenian law-enforcers will investigate the murder case while Armenian courts will administer justice,” read a part of the statement.
Although Permyakov admitted to the murders in two separate interrogations by Russian and Armenian law-enforcement officials, his motives in the crime remain unclear. Preliminary investigations revealed that Permyakov entered the Avetisyan home by breaking the glass window in the front door before killing six members of the Avetisyan family and harming six-month-old Seryozha, who suffered stab wounds to the chest that led to his death a week later. Another report stated that Permyakov told interrogators he randomly picked the Avetisyan home in search of water.
Permyakov has been kept under custody at the Russian military base in Gyumri since being arrested after attempting to cross the Armenian-Turkish border. Many questions as to whether Permyakov would be prosecuted by a Russian military tribunal in Yerevan or by an Armenian court arose after it was confirmed that he would not be extradited. Russian soldiers on the Gyumri military base who commit crimes are subject to Armenian law-enforcement and judicial bodies, per a bilateral treaty signed in 1997 between Armenia and Russia.
Several protests and demonstrations in Armenia arose after the news of the murder spread on Jan. 12. Protesters in Gyumri and Yerevan made several demands, including having the Russian military base closed and insisting that Permyakov be turned over to Armenian law enforcement.
A reported 2,000 protesters assembled during the afternoon on Jan. 15 in Gyumri, while several hundred people clashed with police near the Russian Consulate there that same evening. Another protest was also held in front of the Russian Embassy in Yerevan that day. Vigils and commemorations for the Avetisyan family were also held in Armenia and the diaspora, as Armenians around the world took to social media to express their outrage, frustration, and sadness over the tragic events.
The murders happened off base, so it should be tried in Armenian courts.
The is the result of WORKING WITH our Russian partners instead of doing the work of Western imperialists by spreading Russophobia in Armenia.
There were protests in Armenia earlier in the year to have the trial be carried out in Armenian courts and now the recent and even larger electricity protests probably helped in pushing this to transfer to happen.
On September 4, 1995 three U.S. servicemen from the U.S. military base in Okinawa, kidnapped a 12-year-old Japanese girl, beat her, duct-taped her eyes and mouth, bound her hands, and then gang-raped. Only after six months these servicemen were handed over to the Japanese jurisprudence and stood the trial, which concluded in March 1996.
Any comment, Random?
Your point is what exactly?
Even IF the current electricity price hike protests ‘helped’ this transfer to happen, the important thing is that the transfer took place. Had there been no desire on the part of the Russian government, no protests could have helped them make the transfer. As for the demands for transfer earlier this year, we will never know what the Russian side was looking into for several months in terms of their serviceman’s possible connections or motives.
The transfer was being talked about over a month ago when the Russian side was beginning to conclude its criminal investigation. In my opinion, this is a big favor to Armenia because handing over a Russian serviceman to another state is against Russian laws. Imagine the US handing over one of its soldier/criminals to another state to face prosecution. It simply does not happen. Moreover, the Russian side was not going to turn him over without first finding out the details of what occurred. Finally, the Russian side was not going to turn him over under Armenian pressure. All in all, I agree with Avetis. This is a result of working with and not against our Russian partners. I think our Russophobes need to say thank you to Russia.
According to john’s example, the US has done this. See the 1995 example in Japan.
And there were protests by Gyumretsiner about this. They felt the need to voice their sense of how the process of justice should happen.
Glad to see the soldier will be tried in Armenian courts.
“In my opinion, this is a big favor to Armenia because handing over a Russian serviceman to another state is against Russian laws.”
Harutik, what you’ve expressed here is the Russian perspective. “See Armenia? We’re being nice to you by handing over the soldier to be tried in Armenian courts, for an off-base crime committed on Armenian soil.”
How do you personally want this crime to be tried and handled? On a Russian base by Russians or in Armenian courts?
Although Russia and Armenia have an agreement that states any crime committed off base can be tried by Armenian law enforcement, Russia also has laws on its books that restricts handing over its service personnel to other nations for any reason. The point here being is that if Russians wanted to they could have caused problems in handing the accused criminal to the Armenian side. I am glad Armenian officials and their Russian counterparts came to an understanding. Now, about your question: I have no problems with Russian and/or Armenian investigators, prosecutors and judges handling the criminal case. As long as the accused is properly prosecuted, I would not mind if it was done on the moon.
And the funny part in all this is that those who decried Russia’s initial reaction not to immediately turnover the accused to Armenian law enforcement authorities are those who spend their days cursing Armenian law enforcement authorities and accusing them of incompetence, corruption, criminality, treason, etc.
At the end of the day, Russia and Armenia are strategic allies and historic friends. At the end of the day, without a Russian presence in Armenia we would be incapable of having an Armenian presence in the south Caucasus. A friendly reminder: The south Caucasus is one bad event away from reverting back to being an Islamic/Turkic cesspool. No Russia in the south Caucasus mean no Armenia in the south Caucasus. Moreover, without an Armenia in the south Caucasus Russia would lose control over a crucially strategic area. If Armenia is destroyed, after us Armenians, Russia has the most to lose. Russia is the ONLY nation on earth that will be negatively impacted with the destruction of Armenia.
The above is the fundamental basis of our historic alliance as well as our current strategic relations with the Russian Bear. And this is what we need to exploit pan-nationally for a more mutually beneficial and efficient relationship with the Russian Bear. Anyone that does not see this is either stupid or an agent of the West, or both.
I looked into the U.S.-Japan Status of Forces Agreement, an agreement that regulates facilities, areas, and the status of US Armed Forces in Japan. It’s become clearer that the Agreement gives the Japanese court system jurisdiction for almost all crimes committed by American servicemen in Japan, with the exception of cases in which the American serviceman was acting in official duty or if his victim was another American soldier/citizen. Therefore, the US handing over their soldiers to Japan to face prosecution after the 1995 Okinawa rape incident was in accordance to the bilateral agreement.
And, Random, my point above, as I hoped you’d understand, was that the American soldiers stood trial only after six months after they had committed the crime and only after it had caused uproar in the Japanese society with tens of thousands of people pouring the streets. Need I say more?
I still don’t see your point with your first post. Are you agreeing with me? Do you see the US-Japan case in the same light as this Russian case?
My point was that even if Armenian authorities were working with the Russians to handle and settle situations like this (which is how it should be handled ideally), many Armenians in Gyumri felt the need to protest. They felt the potential of justice not being carried out, because Russia can
As for your second post regarding the bilateral agreement which you read up on, that makes sense. That’s the way it should be. The laws and jurisdiction of the host country must be respected.
{Are you agreeing with me?}
Partly, Random. I sensed some sort of an allusion in your July 1, 2015 comment that it were the protests in Gyumri earlier this year and the most recent electricity price hike protests that pushed Russia to transfer her serviceman to Armenia’s jurisdiction. By bringing the 1995 Okinawa rape incident, I attempted to demonstrate that in both cases Russia and the US were bound by respective regulatory agreements to hand their criminals over to the host countries. And in both cases there were massive popular demands for and delays in transferring the criminals to local jurisdictions. In Russia’s case the delay was understandable because, as ‘Avery’ pointed out, chronologically, Permyakov’s first committed crime was desertion. Therefore, I don’t think it’d be correct to say–if this is what you’ve meant–that only protests pushed Russian authorities to make the transfer.
Ah I see.
” I attempted to demonstrate that in both cases Russia and the US were bound by respective regulatory agreements to hand their criminals over to the host countries. ”
I kept hearing that Russian law prevented the handing over of their personnel, which would I suppose cause a conflict. I’m not clear on the laws and agreements at play here. The timing of the transfer is interesting nonetheless.
“And in both cases there were massive popular demands for and delays in transferring the criminals to local jurisdictions. In Russia’s case the delay was understandable because, as ‘Avery’ pointed out, chronologically, Permyakov’s first committed crime was desertion.
True. Desertion happened first. But the killings are a far greater crime so it would not look good on Russia if they had tried to use the desertion to take precedence over the murders.
“Therefore, I don’t think it’d be correct to say–if this is what you’ve meant–that only protests pushed Russian authorities to make the transfer.”
The thing is, as I see the world, Russia and the US would have tried to get away with not transferring their military personnel if they could get away with it. That’s one of the perks of being a major power.
{That’s one of the perks of being a major power.}
You got it, Random.
This is the gist of my comments here. I invite readers to be more broad-minded and understand that any major power’s relationship with a smaller state is disproportionate by definition. But Russia happens to be closer to Armenia geographically, historically and spiritually, and has more at stake in the region than any other major power. Hence, to drift in the wake of Russia’s presence and policies in the region—at this historical juncture—is imperative for Armenia’s survival.
This is not Russophilia, as some idiots here incessantly bray. This is a sober assessment of realities on the ground.
“{That’s one of the perks of being a major power.}
You got it, Random.”
I’ve been saying this for a while. I’ve always viewed Russia as a major power first, like others such as the US.
Being critical of Russia is also not being anti-Russian. Russia being a major power will not always act in Armenia’s interest. Expressing this or pointing out in the ways Russia’s actions are not to Armenia’s benefits is completely legit.
What I and others, including those living in Armenia I might add, see is that praising Russia while that country is selling billions in brand new military hardware to Azerbaijan, comes across as apologetic and blindly pro-Russian
We know how dependent Armenia is on Russia. The reality we understand. The criticism of Russia is based on a pro-Armenian view, not anti-Russian.
Harutik,
Yes, of course, for an extreme Russian nationalist such as yourself, handing over a Russian scum to the Armenian authorities for massacring an entire Armenian family of seven, is regarded as being “a big favor to Armenia.” This again comes to show how you and your fellow Kremlin compatriots think so extremely low of Armenia.
Contrary to your persistent lies, according to the bilateral treaty signed in 1997 between Armenia and Russia, any Russian soldier who commits a crime on Armenia’s soil is subject to Armenian law-enforcement and judicial bodies.
My understanding of the comment posted by ‘Harutik’ is different. I guess what he tried to say was that given Russian extradition laws, Russia could refuse—but chose not to—handing her serviceman over to another state. Instead, Russia chose to honor the bilateral regulatory agreement with Armenia.
No, that’s not what he tried to say. What he tried to say was that in his opinion, handing over that Russian soldier (who had slaughtered an entire Armenian family of seven, including a tiny baby on Armenia’s soil) to the Armenian authorities, was a big favor to Armenia. That’s indeed a shameful thing to say.
As was pointed out by [John], in turning over the three rape-suspects to Japanese courts, US was not doing Japan any favours.
There have been quite a number of rapes and attempted rapes of Okinawa women by US military personnel over the years.
The case of the 12 year old girl was so brutal and vile, that had US not turned over the 3 men to Japanese courts, Okinawa would have erupted, with dire consequences for Washington’s puppets in Tokyo.
Some other cases:
1.South Korea: Yangju highway incident (2002).
Two 14 year old Korean girls were crushed to death by an American armored vehicle. The girls were walking by the road and were accidentally run over. South Korean authorities demanded the two men be turned over to them for trial: citing SOFA agreement, US refused. The two men were charged by US for negligent homicide in an (American) court martial and were found not guilty.
2.Kandahar massacre. Afghanistan (2012).
US Army Sergeant Robert Bales went nuts, went off base, and methodically murdered 16 Afghani civilians, including 9 children.
11 of the dead were from the same family. Some of the corpses were partially burned by Bales.
Bales was taken to US, despite Afghan National Assembly passing a resolution demanding he be turned over to their courts. He was sentenced to life in prison without possibility of parole. (Afghans would have most certainly hung him had they gotten custody).
It is not outside the realm of possibility that in the future, when memories have faded, a POTUS will issue a pardon or commute the sentence.
To wit, William Calley, Jr. who was convicted by US for taking part in the My Lai Massacre was ordered by Pres Nixon to be transferred from prison to house arrest just 1 day after being convicted. His sentence was ultimately commuted. Pres Nixon also issued a limited Presidential pardon. Calley served less than 4 years of his original life sentence (….for murdering 22 unarmed Vietnamese civilians).
3.Pfc. Joseph Scott Pemberton, transgender Filipina Jennifer Laude murder case (October 2014)
US embassy, citing United States-Philippines Visiting Forces Agreement, initially refused to turn over Pemberton to Philippine courts. After months of wrangling, protests in Philippines against the VFA agreement calling for its annulment, and no doubt pressured by Philippines Gov citing the new agreement two countries had signed (in April 2014) that would see more American troop visits and give them space at Philippine bases to store ready-to-use military hardware, US relented and handed over the murder suspect to local courts. The murder trial started in March 2015 in Philippines.
And [Random] is only partially right: RoA has jurisdiction over crimes committed outside the base. Russia has jurisdiction on base.
Russian side stated that since Permyako’s first criminal act was desertion, then they should get 1st crack at trying him. After which RoA authorities would take custody. Technically this is correct, but considering the gravity of the crime committed on Armenian soil vs desertion, it would be absurd if Russia insisted on this technicality. Glad Russian authorities took the rational, sensible path.
It would be interesting to see who gets custody of Russian soldier Ivan Boskhomidjev, who is accused of murdering a fellow Russian soldier.
The murder took place off-base in Gyumri, on Armenian soil (June 2015): but both the accused and victim are Russian military personnel.
Q: would people insist that RoA get custody of Boskhomidjev and hold protests to achieve that goal, since technically RoA should, or it depends (…right ?).
Note: as soon as the Russian murder victim was first discovered in Gyumri, Western news (disinformation and propaganda) outlets immediately made not so subtle references to the Gyumri massacre. Attempting to manufacture the impression that maybe local Armenians had murdered the Russian soldier in revenge.
John, I stand corrected. I spoke with a Marine friend of mine about this matter. He said he does not remember exactly when but he thinks sometime in the late 1980s the US military agreed through a treaty with Japan to handover US servicemen that committed crimes on Japanese soil. He said this was done to lessen tensions with the Japanese because US troops were engaging in all kinds of criminal activities on the island of Okinawa for many years and the civilians there were seriously fed up. He also said that the Japanese still hate American troops and want them out. Japan and a few other allies seems to be exceptions. Most countries that host US troops are incapable of trying them when they commit crimes.
It’s rather shameful how some of the idiots on here (who are so extreme in their Russian nationalism), are attempting to minimize the brutal massacre of an entire Armenian family of seven, including a tiny baby on Armenia’s soil, by desperately bringing up incidents of criminal acts committed by American soldiers in foreign countries.
Yes, Russia and Armenia have an agreement between them that states any crime committed by Russian soldiers off base can be tried by Armenian law enforcement. With that said, Russia also has laws on its books that restricts handing over its service personnel to other nations for any reason. The point here being is that if Russians wanted to, they could have caused legal problems in handing the accused criminal to the Armenian side. I am therefore glad that Armenian officials and their Russian counterparts came to an understanding.
Ultimately, I have no problems with Russian and/or Armenian investigators, prosecutors and judges handling the criminal case. As long as the accused is properly prosecuted, I would not mind if it was done on the moon. And the funny part in all this is that those who decried Russia’s initial reaction not to immediately turnover the accused to Armenian law enforcement authorities (like this “Yerevanian”) are those who spend their days cursing Armenian law enforcement authorities and accusing them of severe incompetence, corruption, criminality, treason, etc.
At the end of the day, Russia and Armenia are strategic allies and historic friends. At the end of the day, without a Russian presence in Armenia we would be incapable of having an Armenian presence in the south Caucasus. A friendly reminder: The south Caucasus is one bad event away from reverting back to being an Islamic/Turkic cesspool. No Russia in the south Caucasus mean no Armenia in the south Caucasus. Moreover, without an Armenia in the south Caucasus Russia would lose control over a crucially strategic area. If Armenia is destroyed, after us Armenians, Russia has the most to lose. Russia is the ONLY nation on earth that will be negatively impacted with the destruction of Armenia.
The above is the fundamental basis of our historic alliance as well as our current strategic relations with the Russian Bear. And this is what we need to exploit pan-nationally for a more mutually beneficial and efficient relationship with the Russian Bear. Anyone that does not see this is either stupid or an agent of the West, or both.
“At the end of the day, Russia and Armenia are strategic allies and historic friends. At the end of the day, without a Russian presence in Armenia we would be incapable of having an Armenian presence in the south Caucasus.”
And I think this is the underlying issue for you. You’re willing to go along with Russia if Russia decided to try the soldier on their base, even though the massacre occurred in Armenian jurisdiction. You see this as part of the overall Russo-Armenian relationship, even though it should not be. I and others, including those in Armenia, see this as an Armenian sovereignty issue. If a foreigner commits a crime in Armenia, specially as horrible as this one, that person must be tried in Armenian courts. And Russia, or US or any other country who’s military personal stationed in another country, should act like a good guest and cooperate with the host country. After all, their own military person, representing them, did a shameful act.
You seem to be expressing fear of upsetting Russia based on your post.
“Harutik”,
In regard to the Armenian law enforcement authorities, I rightfully criticized them for their suppression of the peaceful “Electric Yerevan” protest, in which they engaged into violence against both the demonstrators and news reporters, and even used water canons against them.
“And this is what we need to exploit pan-nationally for a more mutually beneficial and efficient relationship with the Russian Bear.” Yes, of course, according to the Kremlin, it is very necessary for Armenia to be fully controlled and dictated to by Russia in order to achieve a more beneficial and efficient relationship with that foul Russian Bear.