When Russia's president Vladimir Putin visits Armenia this week to mark a century since the start of the genocide suffered by its people, he will fly into a legal storm over a gruesome mass murder allegedly committed by a Russian soldier.
Early on January 12th, Siberian conscript Valery Permyakov (19) is said to have taken up a Kalashnikov, left his military base in the Armenian town of Gyumri, and broken into the nearby home of the Avetisyan family. Once inside, he allegedly shot dead six members of the family, including a two-year-old girl, and stabbed a six-month-old boy who died a week later.
According to the official version of the aftermath, Permyakov left his uniform and rifle in the house and, wearing clothes belonging to one of his victims, he made his way on foot towards Armenia's nearby border with Turkey.
There, so the story goes, he was apprehended by Russian soldiers who guard the frontier between states whose relations are still overshadowed by the Ottoman massacre of Armenians from 1915-1922, which claimed as many as 1.5 million lives.
Permyakov was quickly returned to his Gyumri base, and Moscow officials insisted he would be tried under Russian law rather than being handed over to Armenia, in a perceived slight that inflamed public anger over the killings.
The case touched a raw nerve for many in Armenia, highlighting for them their leaders' subservience to a Russia that dominates the country's economy, strongly influences its politics and diplomacy and acts as guarantor of its security.
In the days following the murders, thousands rallied in Gyumri to demand Armenia be allowed to try Permyakov, and several were injured and arrested in clashes with riot police.
Twin inquiry
Now two investigations are running in parallel: a Russian probe into Permyakov for alleged murder and desertion, and an Armenian murder case.
“It seems to be a unique situation,” said Lusine Sahakyan, a lawyer for relatives of the Avetisyan family.
Armenian investigators took key evidence from the Avetisyans’ house – including a military uniform, gun and 28 spent rifle shells – but Armenian law forbids prosecution without the accused being present; and Permyakov is on the Russian base.
“This case has great resonance with the Armenian public, because of what happened on the very first day,” said Ms Sahakyan’s colleague, Yervand Varosyan.
“The crime was committed on Armenian soil, and he was arrested on Armenian soil, so he should have been handed to the Armenian security services. When he was instead taken to the Russian base, the problems began.”
Mr Varosyan said it would be "shameful" if Armenia's leaders bowed to pressure from Moscow to allow Permyakov to be tried under Russian law on the base or in a Russian military court in Yerevan.
Russian and Armenian officials hail their co-operation over the case, but the lawyers are bemused.
“No one knows what rules this is being is played by,” said Ms Sahakyan.
“Maybe only the presidents of Russia and Armenia know.”
