MOSCOW, January 15 /TASS/. Russian Ambassador to Armenia Ivan Volynkin has promised an objective and all-embracing investigation into the murder of the Avetisyan family that took place in Gyumri early on January 12.

Private Valery Permyakov, who served at the Russian military base in Gyumri, Armenia, left his sentry post without permission armed with weapons and ammunition early last Monday and later killed the local family of six in one of the houses in Gyumri.

“I am addressing all citizens of the Republic of Armenia. Members of the Avetisyan family were buried in Gyumri today. Once again, I would like to present condolences to the relatives of the innocent victims of this crime that is boggling the mind of any normal person,” the Russian ambassador said in a statement published on the Russian Foreign Ministry’s website on Thursday.

“Such atrocities cannot be justified. They do not have nationality or state allegiance. All the embassy employees are sharing the pain of the loss together with the fraternal people of Armenia and are grieving together with them,” the diplomat went on to say.

Volynkin said he was confident that the criminal would face a strict punishment.

“Armenian and Russian competent bodies are carrying out a joint investigation. I have no doubt that it will be objective and all-embracing,” he stressed.

He noted specially that there had been hard and difficult moments in the centuries-old history of Russian-Armenian friendship.

“But we have always overcome those difficulties through joint efforts and support. I believe that it’s going to be the same this time,“ Volynkin said in conclusion.