Putin vows justice will be done in Gyumri killings case
MOSCOW. Jan 18 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has telephoned his Armenian counterpart, Serzh Sargsyan, to offer his condolences over a tragedy in Gyumri, Armenia, on January 12 in which a Russian soldier is accused of murdering six members of a local family, including a girl aged two.
"Putin expressed confidence that all necessary investigations will be carried through as quickly as possible and those guilty will be punished under the law," said the Russian leader's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov.
"Putin also expressed hope that the Russian doctors who have arrived in Gyumri and Armenian doctors would together provide all necessary high-standard assistance to six-month-old Seryozha Avetisian, who has survived that tragedy," Peskov said. "The Russian president also assured his Armenian counterpart that, if necessary, Russia would be ready to send over a medical aircraft to bring the baby to Moscow for further treatment."
The boy, who had a stab wound, was hospitalized in Armenia in a severe condition.
Putin and Sargsyan also discussed some current issues in Russian-Armenian relations, the spokesman said.
The presumed murderer, Valery Permyakov, who serves at the Russian 102th Military Base in Gyumri, was arrested soon after the crime and is in custody on the base. He has been charged under Armenian and Russian law.
