The Khachaturian sisters’ father will be tried posthumously

The Butyr District Court of Moscow accepted the case against Mikhail Khachaturyan for consideration. He is accused of torturing his daughters, violent acts of a sexual nature and making pornography. According to information on the court’s website, the case was registered and handed over to the judge on March 30. Khachaturyan was charged posthumously.

In July 2018, three Khachaturyan sisters – Angelina, Krestina and Maria – were detained by the police for murdering their father. According to the sisters, their father beat and raped them for many years. Expertise confirmed these statements. The case caused a wide public outcry, numerous demonstrations and pickets were held in Russia in support of the sisters and against domestic violence.

A criminal case of premeditated murder was initiated against the sisters. This article implies imprisonment for up to 20 years. The cases against the sisters went to court, but were returned to the prosecutor’s office.

According to media reports from 2022, the sisters continued to be under the “prohibition of certain actions”. They are forbidden to live together and communicate with each other and with witnesses in the case, as well as use the Internet.

In March 2021, a criminal case was initiated against Khachaturyan himself, posthumously. In it, the sisters appear as victims. Earlier, the sisters’ lawyers said that if the father is found guilty, this will prove that the sisters, killing him, were in a state of self-defense. This can be an argument for their acquittal or a reduced sentence.