Haroutyun Sargsyan, the man charged with the April 2012 killing of the man who planned to marry the daughter of then Gyumri Mayor Vardan Ghukasyan, was today found guilty and sentenced to 15 years imprisonment.

As the verdict was read out, relatives of the accused voiced   their disapproval, shouting ‘shame, shame’.

27 year-old Karen Yesayan had been found shot to death in his car in Armenia’s second largest city on the very day the couple were to celebrate their engagement.

Yesayan and his parents were natives of Gyumri but had relocated to the United States several years ago. Karen had returned to Gyumri expressly to find a bride.

Sargsyan, who has insisted he is innocent, plans to continue his hunger strike. His family say they will appeal the verdict all the way to the European Court of Human Rights if need be.