Russian authorities said on Tuesday that two sisters should face trial for the premeditated murder of their abusive father, despite calls for leniency in a case that has shone a spotlight on domestic abuse in the country. Three sisters — Krestina, Angelina and Maria Khachaturyan — are accused of killing their 57-year-old father Mikhail with pepper spray, a knife and a hammer while he was sleeping in July last year. The case prompted an outpouring of public support for the sisters from people who said they were also victims of a Russian legal system that turns a blind eye to domestic abuse. More than 364,000 people signed a petition earlier this year demanding the three women be fully acquitted of any crime. Russian legislation does not define or mention domestic violence as a separate offense or aggravating element in other offenses, the court noted.

Source: National Post December 03, 2019 16:41 UTC