Author: Kalantarian Kevo

VILLE EN DEUIL : GYUMRI PLEURE LA FAMILLE AVETISYAN

ARMENIE

PERMYAKOV’S TRANSFER NOT DISCUSSED, SUSPECT ALREADY IN ARMENIA – PROSECUTOR GENERAL

YEREVAN, January 15. /ARKA/. The transferring of the Giumry murder case
suspect Russian military base conscript Valery Permyakov to Armenia
is not discussed as the suspect is already in Armenia, Armenia’s
prosecutor general Gevorg Kostanyan told reporters on Thursday.

According to the police’s report, a family of six, Serezha Avetisyan
(born in 1961), Hasmik Avetisyan (born 1959), Aida Avetisyan (1979),
Armen Avetisyan (1981), Araksia Poghosyan (1990) and two-year old
Hasmik Avetisyan were fatally shot in Giumry on Monday morning. The
only who survived is grandchild Serezha Avetisyan who was operated
and is currently in intensive care unit at St. Astvatsamayr Medical
Center in Yerevan.

According to the preliminary information, the suspect is Russian
military base conscript Valery Permyakov who was detained when making
an attempt to cross the Armenian-Turkish border on January 13 and
admitted guilt.

“He is in Armenia, under the jurisdiction of the Russian
law-enforcement bodies though”, Kostanyan said.

The Armenian law-enforcement agencies will be carrying out all the
investigative and procedural operations themselves, as required by the
Armenian laws. Murder charges will be brought against Permyakov today,
and only Armenian investigators and an advocate will be present during
examinations, Kostanyan said.

In responding the question whether the matter will be considered in
an Armenian or a Russian court, Kostanyan said the decision will be
made in the trial stage.

The walkout and murder case will be investigated by the Armenian and
Russian law-enforcement bodies separately, but may be combined into
one case later, the prosecutor general said. -0–

PRESS RELEASE
Date: January 14, 2015

ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA
Contact: Taniel Koushakjian
Telephone: (202) 393-3434
Email: [email protected]
Web:

ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY HOSTS SUCCESSFUL KICK OFF RECEPTION IN SOUTH FLORIDA

WASHINGTON, DC – On Saturday, January 3rd, the Armenian Assembly of
America (Assembly) held a successful kick off reception in downtown Boca
Raton, Florida, reported the Assembly. Organized by the Assembly’s South
Florida Regional Council (SFRC) Chair Carol Norigian, nearly one hundred
members, friends and supporters gathered at the Waterstone Resort
overlooking Lake Boca Raton to reconnect with friends in the New Year.

`It was great to see so many Assembly supporters gathered together in
welcoming the New Year as we begin a year-long commemoration of the 100th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide with renewed energy and optimism,’
stated Assembly Trustee Marta Batmasian.

The reception featured remarks from Assembly Communications Director Taniel
Koushakjian who discussed a range of topics on the upcoming Armenian
Genocide centennial year, including Assembly activities such as the annual
Assembly Meeting on March 13-15, 2015 in Boca Raton, FL at the Marriott in
Town Center. Koushakjian also touched on the national centennial gathering
in Washington, DC, May 7-9, 2015, in which the Assembly is also
participating, along with a broad-based coalition of Armenian American
organizations.

In support of these efforts, Koushakjian noted a special matching pledge of
up to $500,000 announced by Chairman of the Board of Trustees Hirair
Hovnanian on all new donations to the Armenian Assembly of America in 2015.

During his remarks, Koushakjian recognized Jim and Marta Batmasian for
their sponsorship, Board Members Lu Ann Ohanian and Carolyn Mugar, former
Chairman of the Board of Trustees Michael Haratunian, and local Rev. Fr.
Paren Galstayan from St. David Armenian Church, who were all present. While
enjoying the company of those gathered, guests were also entertained by the
sounds of Joe Zeytoonian and Dick Barsamian who performed various Armenian
songs.

`We are happy to see the Assembly’s increased activity in South Florida and
invite all Armenian Americans to join us in Boca Raton on March 13-15, 2015
for some major events and announcements,’ stated Assembly SFRC Chair Carol
Norigian.

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and
awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3)
tax-exempt membership organization.

###

NR: # 2015-001

Photo Caption 1 (L-R): Judy Khachadourian, Araksi Dinkjian, Onnik Dinkjian,
Marta Batmasian, and Michael Haratunian.

Photo Caption 2 (L-R): Lu Ann Ohanian, Judy Khachadourian, Araksi Dinkjian,
Onnik Dinkjian, and Carol Norigian.

Available online at:

TURKEY ARRESTS TWO POLICE OFFICERS OVER MURDER OF ARMENIAN JOURNALIST HRANT DINK

EuroNews, EU
Jan 14 2015

Two police officers have been arrested in Istanbul and charged with
negligence in connection with the 2007 murder of Armenian journalist
Hrant Dink.

The two have been charged with failing to carry out an effective probe.

Dink was shot dead in broad daylight by a teenage ultranationalist
outside the offices of his bilingual Agos newspaper,

Turkey’s top court has ruled the investigation into the killing had
been flawed, paving way for the trial of state officials who could
be implicated in the murder.

RUSSIAN MILITARY BASE NOT RIGHT PLACE FOR VIOLENT PROTESTS – EXPERTS

21:58 * 14.01.15

The Russian military base stationed in Gyumri is not the right place
for political protests amid human passions running high, political
scientist Hrant Melik-Shahnazaryan told Tert.am as he commented on
the latest public protests in front of Russian military base 102.

“There is an embassy and law-enforcement agencies. It is clear that no
officer or law-enforcer will ever hand a criminal over to a crowd. And
it is wrong to hold a protest there, especially when passions run
high and people are on the point of violating the law,” he said.

A public memorial service for the murdered Avetisyan family has been
held at the Holy Sign church in Gyumri. At the same time, numerous
residents moved toward the Russian military base and demanded that
the murderer, Russian soldier Valeri Permyakov, be handed over to
Armenian law-enforcers.

Mr Melik-Shahnazaryan points out the need for respecting legal norms.

“The investigation is in progress and the issue of handing the criminal
over to the Armenian side has not yet been settled. It is clear that
discussions are under way, so it is right to wait now. But a military
base is not the right place for a political protest,” he said.

Political scientist Alexander Markarov told Tert.am that emotions
prevent people from thinking rationally.

“Different people show different reactions to the same event. The
problem is that it is such people that live in Gyumri and their nerves
will naturally fail them,” he said.

The Gyumri residents have always been hospitable to Russian servicemen,
and the protest was actually the result of their indignation.

Styopa Safaryan, Head of the Armenian Institute of International
and Security Affairs (AIISA), told Tert.am that Gyumri is shocked by
the tragedy.

“I am here in Gyumri now. People have many questions that have not
so far been answered. Even the head of the Shirak diocese of the
Armenian Apostolic Church Mikael Ajapahyan has said that Gyumri has
a right to demand. Many of Gyumri residents ask ‘did a soldier come
to Gyumri to do that? We must get answers.’ This is what each Gyumri
resident is saying now.”

RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR SAYS GYUMRI KILLINGS MUST NOT BE POLITICIZED

YEREVAN, January 14. / ARKA /. Russian ambassador to Armenia Ivan
Volynkin said today he is sure that Armenian and Russian investigators
will clarify all the circumstances of the murdering six members of
an Armenian family in Gyumri by a runaway soldier from the Russian
military base in the town adding also that the case must not be
politicized.

According to police, Valery Permyakov from the Russian military base in
Gyumri admitted to murdering the six members of the family- a couple,
their son and daughter-in-law, a 2-year-old granddaughter, and an
unmarried daughter. They all were found shot dead in their house on
January 12. The couple’s six-month-old grandson was hospitalized in
a grave condition. The victims were all shot with an AK-47. Valery
Permyakov was detained on January 13, shortly after midnight, while
trying to cross the border into Turkey dressed in civilian clothing.

“The embassy personnel are shocked by this terrible tragedy in Gyumri.

We grieve together with the Armenian people and express our condolences
to the friends and relatives of the victims. The perpetrators of this
horrible crime must be punished to the full extent of law. Currently,
competent Armenian and Russian officials are conducting the
necessary investigation procedures for an objective and comprehensive
investigation of the crime,” the ambassador told Sputnik Radio.

Thousands of Armenians will be protesting January 15 in front of
the Russian embassy in Armenia, the presidential residence and in
Gyumri demanding that Valery Permyakov be handed over to Armenian
law-enforcement bodies.

“I understand these people, their emotions, because a brutal crime was
committed and the perpetrator must answer for it. People, of course,
have the right to express their opinions, their emotions. But I think
that this issue should not be politicized,” said Ivan Volynkin.

“Crime has no nationality, especially in this case. I think that
the investigation will clear out all the nuances of the case and the
criminal will be adequately punished,” he concluded. -0-

PEOPLE IN YEREVAN DEMAND AUTHORITIES TO DECLARE DAY OF MORNING FOR GYUMRI VICTIMS

20:05 | January 14,2015 | Social

Scores of citizens today gathered at Liberty Square in Yerevan to
pay tribute to the members of the Avetisyan family who were killed
in Gyumri city on January 12.

They say it is shameful that Armenian authorities do not push for
the handover of Valery Permyakov, the Russian soldier accused of the
murder, to Armenian law enforcers. Moreover, they view it is a menace
threatening Armenia’s sovereignty.

Talking to A1+, many expressed confidence that the appalling crime
in Gyumri was organized by external forces, namely by Turkey and
Azerbaijan.

The group then held a march to the presidential residence (at 26
Baghramyan avenue) to demand that a day of mourning be declared in
the country for those killed in the Monday massacre.

Reaching the residence they turned their backs to the building as a
sign of protest.

Six members of the Avetisyan family in Gyumri, including a small
little child, were brutally murdered on Monday morning. Seryozha
Avetisyan, his wife Hasmik, daughter Aida, son Armen, daughter-in-law
Araksya, and two-year-old granddaughter Hasmik, were found killed,
when a relative-neighbor came to the house for morning coffee. A
six-month-old infant, the only survivor of the brutal murder, was
hospitalized with severe stab wounds in his chest. Valery Permyakov,
the Russian soldier suspected of the killing, was detained on the same
day when attempting to cross the border with Turkey. Permyakov had
served at Russian military base N 102 in Gyumri. Today, Permyakov has
been accused of murder under Article 104 of the Armenian Criminal Code.

ARMENIAN WOMEN PUT UP FOR AUCTION – THE NEW YORK TIMES, SEPTEMBER 29, 1915

January 14, 2015

100 years ago in The New York Times

September 29, 1915 – Refugee Tells of the Fate of Those in Turkish Hands

Speaking yesterday, his remarks being based on the authenticated data
in his possession, Professor Dutton said he does not believe anything
had happened in many centuries so terrible as is the studied and
systematized effort on the part of a political coterie in Turkey –
the Young Turks, led by Enver Pasha – to exterminate a whole race of
people. The whole plan involves the wiping out of the Armenians.

Only a day or two ago, added Professor Dutton, a young girl who left
Turkey on Aug 18 called here to see him. She told of the fate of the
100 girls who were attending a mission school in Anatolia. These girls,
who were of course Armenians, were divided into groups and those
that were the best looking in the opinion of the Turkish officers
were taken over by those officers. Those considered not quite so
good looking were given over to the soldiers, while those still less
attractive were put up for sale to the highest bidders.

Several Americans who have been in Turkey for many years have arrived
here within the last few days. They all testify to the truthfulness
of the reports that have come out of Turkey concerning the treatment
of the Armenians, but in every instance they beg that their names be
not used for fear that what they have said will find its way back to
Turkey and friends or relatives they left behind will be punished by
the Turks in retaliation.

Copies of two letters, in which the writers tell of the fate that is
being meted out to the Armenians, were given to The Times yesterday
by a man in close touch with Armenian conditions.

In one of these letters the writer among other things says:

In Urtab, Tukh, and about twenty other Armenian villages on the lake
the entire population was found to have been massacred by the Turks –
not a single living soul was found in these villages, which were now
given over to howling dogs, while large numbers of corpses have been
washed ashore from the lake and the rivers.

These corpses, which were ascertained to be all of males, were terribly
mutilated, but nothing was discovered as to the whereabouts of women
and children. By sunset of July 20 the Armenians captured the heights
of Kerkur. When they reached the summit the town of Bitlis presented
to their disappointed gaze a sheet of flames, and they knew that the
worst had happened. Some female refugees, who managed to escape the
Turkish cordon, have since related the story of fiendish massacres
in the town and the wholesale deportation of women and children.

To a well known minister of the Armenian Church there came out of
Turkey, by some mysterious underground route, a letter which is
described as of “undoubted trustworthiness” Excerpts from their
letter follow:

Armenia without the Armenians – such is the plan of the Ottoman
Government, which has already begun to install Moslem families in the
homes and property of the Armenians. Needless to say, the deported
are not allowed by the Government to take any of their belongings
with them, and as there is moreover, no means of transport owing
to the exigencies of the military, they are forced to cover on foot
the two or three months’ journey to that corner of the desert region
which is destined to be their sepulchre.

RALLY IN GYUMRI: PEOPLE DEMAND TO HAND OVER PERMYAKOV TO THE ARMENIAN SIDE

18:53, 14 Jan 2015

People in Gyumri gathered in front of the Russian military base #102,
demanding to hand over Russian soldier Valery Permyakov to the Armenian
law-enforcement bodies.

Prosecutor of Shirak Province Raffi Aslanyan arrived at the site. He
said the gathering at the Russian military base is in no way conducive
to the case and urged the citizens to move to the Prosecutor’s Office
or the Police.

Under the pressure of the public, Raffi Aslanyan called Gevorg
Kostanyan, the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Armenia. The
latter said consultations are currently under way and will continue
tomorrow morning. Kostanyan promised to provide information after
the talks.

The participants of the rally decided to set 5 p.m. as a deadline
for proclamation of the decision.

VALERI PERMYAKOV OFFICIALLY CHARGED WITH MULTIPLE MURDER IN ARMENIA’S GYUMRI

17:19 * 14.01.15

The Investigation Committee of Armenia has decided to bring official
charge against Valeri Permyakov, who is the main suspect for a multiple
murder in Gyumri.

The Investigation Committee is taking all the necessary measures to
ensure an impartial and comprehensive investigation into the crime
and verify all possible versions.