Armenia

Armenia Commemorates Family Murdered Year Ago

PHOT GALLERY: The massacre of the Avetisian family one year ago shocked the Caucasus nation of Armenia. The killings left seven dead, spanning three generations, with the youngest victim just 6 months old. News that the lone suspect was a soldier stationed at Russia's 102nd Military Base, located in the northwestern city of Gyumri, left locals outraged. But despite this being only the latest in a string of violent incidents related to the base, many feel that without the presence of Russian military the very existence of Armenia would be threatened. Photos and text by RFE/RL's Amos Chapple

GYUMRI, Armenia -- Commemorations have been held in Armenia for the family allegedly killed by a Russian soldier exactly one year ago.

Hundreds of people visited the graves of the seven members of the Avetisian family in Gyumri and attended a special liturgy at the city's central church on January 12.

Nineteen-year-old Russian conscript Valery Permyakov, who was serving at a nearby Russian base, has been charged with killing the family, including a 6-month-old baby. The murders sparked outrage in Armenia, and mass protests in Gyumri.

Permyakov is facing an Armenian trial that is being conducted at the Russian military base.

The trial is scheduled to resume on January 18.

In August, a Russian military court in Gyumri sentenced Permyakov to 10 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to charges of stealing weapons from the military base and deserting.