Russian Embassy: We Mourn with the Armenian People

Embassy of the Russian Federation in Armenia.

The Russian Embassy in Armenia has issued a statement in connection with the passing of six-month-old Seryozha Avetisyan on January 19. Below is the full text of that statement:

“We mourn with the entire Armenian People.

Until the last minute, we all had hope and prayed for Seryozha Avetisyan. Armenian and Russian doctors were fighting to save his life. Sadly, a miracle did not happen, although we were all hoping and believing it would.

The loss of a child is a horrible sorrow. There are no words that can in some way alleviate the terrible tragedy that took place. However, even in these circumstances, it is necessary to maintain our humanity. Most understand all of this. Mourning is both sorrowful and a prayer.

We must all learn a lesson from this tragedy and do everything so that something like this is never repeated. We can assure you that the criminal and all those who might have been in collusion with him, will be punished accordingly.”

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In the early morning hours of January 12, six members of the Avetisyan family were shot in their home and their six-month-old infant Seryozha Avetisyan was stabbed. The accused is Russian soldier Valery Permyakov stationed at the 102nd Russian Military Base in Gyumri. Permyakov was apprehended by Russian military personnel trying to cross the Armenia-Turkey border. He is currently being held in custody at the Russian base. On January 14 and 15 protests took place in Gyumri and Yerevan demanding that the accused be handed over to Armenian authorities and to stand trial in an Armenian court. On January 19, Seryozha Avetisyan succumbed to his injuries and died in hospital in Yerevan. A requiem service for the infant takes place on January 20 in Gyumri.