Ivan Novikov, a citizen of Russia, who served in the 102nd military base , was killed in the Armenian city of Gyumri. A criminal case has been initiated over the death.
Novikov’s body with stab wounds was found near the monument ‘Mother Armenia’. At the moment the law enforcement agencies are considering the murder to be a domestic crime.
Novikov’s colleague, who is also a contract servicemen, has been arrested on suspicion of murder. He is giving evidence now, influential Russian newspaper Kommersant reports.
Ivan Novikov did his military service at the base that Russian soldier Valery Permyakov deserted from on January 12, 2015. Permyakov killed seven members of the Avesitsyan family, including two children. The conscript tried to escape from justice and enter Turkey, but he was detained at the border. Later Permyakov pleaded guilty.
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The slaughter sparked a wave of mass protests in Gyumri and other cities. Armenians demanded to deliver to the local authorities.
But later Armenia and Russia came to a consensus and now are conducting a joint investigation.
