In Valery Permyakov's case, trial postponed because of absence of victim party's representative

In the criminal case against Valery Permyakov, sentenced for killing a family in Gyumri, the Court of Appeal has decided to postpone the hearing to listen to Arthur Sakunts, a representative of the successors of the deceased Avetisyan family members, who did not come to the trial.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on August 23, Valery Permyakov, a soldier of the 102nd Russian military base in Gyumri, was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of seven members of the Avetisyan family. The successors of the deceased Avetisyan family members demand to hold a new trial.

On November 8, Valery Permyakov confirmed his voluntary withdrawal of the appeal against the verdict and expressed his consent with the decision of the court.

Today, Judge Mkher Argamanyan, who chairs the hearing, has announced the stage for filing motions concerning new evidence in the case of the murder of the Avetisyan family members in Gyumri.

The Judge has decided to postpone the hearing because of the absence of human rights defender Arthur Sakunts, one of the representatives of the successors of the Avetisyan family, the head of the Vanadzor Office of the Helsinki Association.

"Given the nature and complexity of the case, it is necessary to listen to the opinions of all people involved in the trial," said Mkher Argamanyan.

The next court hearing is scheduled for December 16.

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