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After a month’s break, a second court hearing of the Avetisyan family murder case began today, on January 18, in the premises of the Russian 102nd military base in Gyumri, Armenia. The defendant is Valery Permyakov, a former soldier of the Russian 102nd military base. 

The lawyers of the aggrieved party – the Avetisyans’ legal successors – have joined a petition filed by human rights activist Arthur Sakunts requesting that the trial be held in a courthouse at Liberty Square 7 instead of the Russian 102nd military base.

“We cannot hear Permyakov’s words and see his face. We do not understand his feelings and emotions, which is quite important for the sides,” Head of Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly - Vanadzor Office Arthur Sakunts said. 

When asked about his opinion regarding the transfer of his trial to another building, V. Permyakov replied: “I don’t care about it”.

Judge of the Shirak regional court of first instance Harutyun Movsesyan announced a 30-minute break.
The first court hearing of the murder case was held on December 18, 2015 and was postponed following an application of Permyakov’s new lawyer, Edward Aghajanyan who said he was assigned recently due to the expiry of the previous lawyer’s contract so he needed time to become familiar with the details of the case.

To remind,  V. Permaykov was charged under the Armenian Criminal Code’s Article 104 part 2 points 1, 5, and 8 (contract murder of two or more people committed with cruelty, for mercenary motives, and combined with extortion, robbery or banditry), Article 175 part 2 points 3 and 4 (robbery committed after a break-in, with the use of weapons or other objects used as a weapon), and Article 34-329 part 1 (an attempt to violate the state border of the Republic of Armenia without the necessary documents or permission). Permyakov pleaded guilty to the charges, the Investigative Committee of Armenia reported. 

A Russian garrison military court subordinate to the North Caucasian district military court held a hearing on August 12 in the Armenian city of Gyumri. The court sentenced Valery Permyakov to 10 years in high-security prison for desertion and theft of weapons. The murder case is being investigated separately by the Armenian side.