DUSHANBE, January 16, 2015, Asia-Plus — Protesters and police in Armenia have clashed outside the Russian consulate in the town of Gyumri, where a Russian soldier suspected of murdering six members of a local Armenian family is being held at a nearby Russian military base.
Hundreds of demonstrators gathered on January 15 at the Russian consulate demanding Russia hand over Private Valery Permyakov who authorities say has confessed to killing six members of the Avestian family on January 12. A six-month-old infant was also gravely wounded in the attack.
Clashes between protesters and police broke out in the evening, leaving at least 15 people injured.
More than 20 people were briefly taken into custody.
A funeral was held for those killed earlier on January 15. Armenia”s prosecutor general Gevork Kostanian promised mourners that he will ask Russia to hand over Permyakov to Armenian authorities.
Protesters and police scuffled in Yerevan near the Russian Embassy earlier on January 15. A peaceful demonstration in Yerevan continued into the night.
