Experts associate protest moods after tragedy in Gyumri with authorities' actions

In Armenia, local experts explain national protest moods against the murder of the Avetisyan family in Gyumri by improper actions of the authorities. At present, people are waiting that the authorities are to fulfill the promises they have made.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that at night on January 12, in Gyumri, six members of the Avetisyan family were assassinated. The only survivor of the attack – the six-month-old Sergey Avetisyan – was hospitalized in critical condition and underwent his treatment in Yerevan. On January 19, the baby's condition has deteriorated and he died. A Russian regular soldier Valery Permyakov is arrested as a suspect of committing the massacre. On January 15, an action was held in the city demanding to give Permyakov out to the Armenian justice; it ended with riots and clashes with the police, as a result of which 14 people suffered.

The murder of the Avetisyan family has caused a surge of discontent and indignation by the presence of the Russian military unit in Gyumri, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told by Levon Barsegyan, the leader of the journalistic club "Asparez".

According to Levon Barsegyan, at present, no protest actions are planned in Gyumri. People are waiting for the fulfillment of the promises made by Gevorg Kostanyan, the General Prosecutor of Armenia.

Levon Barsegyan does not rule out that a bad word or act of any of the top-ranking politicians can lead to a new wave of protests.

"Our only demand is that the criminal case is to be completely investigated by the Armenian side," Levon Barsegyan has said. He has added that the investigation may also involve the Russian side.

Otherwise, the society will feel cheated, since people do not trust Russian investigators, Levon Barsegyan has concluded.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.