Three sisters who killed abusive father charged with murder in Russia. Outrage ensued

[Rogue Valley]

Three sisters who killed abusive father charged with murder in Russia. Outrage ensued

'The choice for these women was either to die or they had to protect themselves to the best of their ability.'

Sisters Angelina, Maria and Christina Khachaturyan at the Basmanny court of Moscow.

7/5/19
MOSCOW, Russia — One evening last summer, Mikhail Khachaturyan decided that his living room wasn't tidy enough, so he summoned his three teenage daughters one by one and doused each with pepper spray. There was little unusual about this evening in the Khachaturyan household, according to court records, except for one thing: The sisters decided they couldn't take the violence and abuse anymore. They waited until their father fell asleep in his rocking chair and attacked him with a kitchen knife and a hammer. He put up a fight, but died within minutes. The Khachaturyan sisters, now aged 18, 19 and 20, were charged last month with premeditated murder, in a case that has drawn outrage and shone a light on the way the Russian justice system handles domestic violence and sexual abuse cases. More than 200,000 people have signed an online petition urging the prosecutors to drop the murder charges, which could land the sisters in prison for up to 20 years. "The Khachaturyan case is quite indicative of the general situation with domestic violence and how the Russian state responds to this problem," says Yulia Gorbunova, who authored an extensive report on domestic violence for Human Rights Watch last year.

Pressured by conservative family groups, President Vladimir Putin in 2017 signed a law decriminalizing some forms of domestic violence, which has no fixed definition in the Russian legislation. Police routinely turn a blind eye to cases of domestic abuse, while preventive measures, such as restraining orders, are either lacking or not in wide use. Court filings showed that the Khachaturyan sisters were repeatedly beaten by their father, a war veteran, and sexually abused. Going to the police was not an option for Khachaturyan's victims, who feared that life for them would only get worse. The girls had shared some of the horrors they had gone through with school friends but pleaded them not to go to the police. Prosecutors acknowledge the extraordinarily violent circumstances that pushed the teenagers to attack and eventually kill their own father, but they insist that Maria, Angelina and Krestina should be tried for murder. Research on Russian criminal court cases compiled by media outlet Media Zona shows that out of 2,500 women convicted of manslaughter or murder in 2016 to 2018, nearly 2,000 killed a family member in a domestic violence setting.

Generally, there is little legal protection for girls/women who are physically/sexually abused. The legislation Putin signed into law in 2017 virtually gives a pass to spousal/familial abusers.

During the trial the sisters are restricted to living in separate municipal apartments in the Moscow region. They are forbidden to leave their places of residence at night, to communicate with anyone other than the investigator and close relatives, to use the Internet, mobile communication, or to communicate with each other.

Related: Sisters who killed abusive father spark Russia domestic violence debate

 

[haymarket]

This terrible case shows the lack of value the Russian culture places on women. This is terrible to read about and I imagine a thousand times more terrible to live through if you are those three unfortunate girls.

 

[TrueScotsman]

Three sisters who killed abusive father charged with murder in Russia. Outrage ensued

'The choice for these women was either to die or they had to protect themselves to the best of their ability.'

Sisters Angelina, Maria and Christina Khachaturyan at the Basmanny court of Moscow.



Generally, there is little legal protection for girls/women who are physically/sexually abused. The legislation Putin signed into law in 2017 virtually gives a pass to spousal/familial abusers.

During the trial the sisters are restricted to living in separate municipal apartments in the Moscow region. They are forbidden to leave their places of residence at night, to communicate with anyone other than the investigator and close relatives, to use the Internet, mobile communication, or to communicate with each other.

Related: Sisters who killed abusive father spark Russia domestic violence debate

What is a human being supposed to do when civilization crumbles and there is no recourse for their abuse? Who knows how many situations of abusive fathers exist right now in Russia, with the State giving total license for all kinds of horror which will reveal itself in the population over time. There is a reason why civilization requires human rights, because its absence marks the departure of civilization, and that world is brutal.

 

[ecofarm]

The legislation Putin signed into law in 2017 virtually gives a pass to spousal/familial abusers.

Throwing children and wives as red meat to his base.

 

[TrueScotsman]

This terrible case shows the lack of value the Russian culture places on women. This is terrible to read about and I imagine a thousand times more terrible to live through if you are those three unfortunate girls.

The domestic abuse and sexual violence laws in the Soviet block was horrendous. I would say that our culture has historically been horrible to women, its just we had values of democracy and individuality which gave women the ability to SPEAK UP.

 

[EMNofSeattle]

The domestic abuse and sexual violence laws in the Soviet block was horrendous. I would say that our culture has historically been horrible to women, its just we had values of democracy and individuality which gave women the ability to SPEAK UP.

No, our culture has not been horrible to women. That is false.

Also in relation to the story, are people here seriously arguing that attacking someone with deadly weapons in their sleep isn’t murder?

 

[TrueScotsman]

No, our culture has not been horrible to women. That is false.

Are you being serious right now, so that Anti-Rape movement in the 1970s was just all made up? Do I actually have to put effort into educating you on the legal and social history of your own country!? Really!?

Also in relation to the story, are people here seriously arguing that attacking someone with deadly weapons in their sleep isn’t murder?

Are you seriously arguing that abusing your daughter isn't an abuse of human rights? What validity do the courts of Russia have, when they are unwilling to prosecute one and then leave no recourse for those enduring it. This is justified manslaughter in my view and a total failure of the State who put these girls in this impossible position. What's your solution to these girls, grin and bear the pepper sprays and beatings and who knows what else?

Conservatives should retire from social commentary.

 

[EMNofSeattle]

Are you being serious right now, so that Anti-Rape movement in the 1970s was just all made up? Do I actually have to put effort into educating you on the legal and social history of your own country!? Really!?

before the feminist movement rape was not only illegal, but in many jurisdictions a capital offense. Rape was never acceptable anywhere in the English speaking world. Of course because we also have systems of civil rights it is not very prosecutable without evidence, but nonetheless it is not the same thing. There was never a pro-rape movement so any anti rape movement is built on a lie.

Are you seriously arguing that abusing your daughter isn't an abuse of human rights? What validity do the courts of Russia have, when they are unwilling to prosecute one and then leave no recourse for those enduring it. This is justified manslaughter in my view and a total failure of the State who put these girls in this impossible position. What's your solution to these girls, grin and bear the pepper sprays and beatings and who knows what else?

Conservatives should retire from social commentary.

I’m sure any alleged acts the father committed against the women (all of them are adults and could’ve moved out I am guessing) would be a violation of their rights under the Russian civil laws I am assuming.

However being the victim of a crime in the past is not a defense to committing murder. See if you made this a precedent anyone who commits a murder can claim they were the victim of an unreported and unprosecuted crime sometime in the past and courts would now have to evaluate that. You can claim the Russian justice system is inadequate in many regards, it probably is but I don’t know enough about that, however I think it’s pretty fair to say stabbing someone in their sleep is textbook premeditated murder everywhere

 

[TrueScotsman]

before the feminist movement rape was not only illegal, but in many jurisdictions a capital offense. Rape was never acceptable anywhere in the English speaking world. Of course because we also have systems of civil rights it is not very prosecutable without evidence, but nonetheless it is not the same thing. There was never a pro-rape movement so any anti rape movement is built on a lie.


I’m sure any alleged acts the father committed against the women (all of them are adults and could’ve moved out I am guessing) would be a violation of their rights under the Russian civil laws I am assuming.

However being the victim of a crime in the past is not a defense to committing murder. See if you made this a precedent anyone who commits a murder can claim they were the victim of an unreported and unprosecuted crime sometime in the past and courts would now have to evaluate that. You can claim the Russian justice system is inadequate in many regards, it probably is but I don’t know enough about that, however I think it’s pretty fair to say stabbing someone in their sleep is textbook premeditated murder everywhere

Rape was never acceptable in the English speaking world... White men could rape black females slaves with impunity, but black men would be put to death for raping. Does the fact that the latter was put to death, mean that the English world was anti-rape?

Yeah, we've had so many great laws against rape, such that it has been impossible for people to be convicted throughout our history. Yeah, the 1970s anti-rape movement was built on a lie, its not like there was rampant rape in the society at the time which was exploding.

Its no wonder you're tone deaf on your analysis of the Russian circumstance. Utter ignorance.

 

[Tigerace117]

No, our culture has not been horrible to women. That is false.

Also in relation to the story, are people here seriously arguing that attacking someone with deadly weapons in their sleep isn’t murder?

Uh....yes, it absolutely has been.

Maybe the scumbag shouldn’t have beaten his children if he didn’t want to reap what he sowed.

 

[Rogue Valley]

This terrible case shows the lack of value the Russian culture places on women. This is terrible to read about and I imagine a thousand times more terrible to live through if you are those three unfortunate girls.

Margarita Grachova.


In December of 2017, Dmitry Grachyov (27) forced his 26-year-old wife Margarita into his car and drove her to a forest where he tied her up, forced her to kneel and severed her wrists with an ax. Her left hand was sewn back on by surgeons but she now uses a robotic prosthetic on her right hand after the violent attack. She became a cause célèbre in Russia for spousal abuse. Despite this, the Russian Duma decriminalized spousal abuse if hospitalization is not required (colloquially called the "slapping law"). Putin signed this brutal legislation into law. Dmitry Grachyov was sentenced to 14 years (due to the national notoriety of the case). In most cases, the police refuse to intervene in domestic violence calls.

Decriminalisation of domestic violence in Russia leads to fall in reported cases

Domestic battery surges in Russia after decriminalization

The dark reality of Russia’s domestic violence laws

Russian Human Rights Official Admits Softening Domestic Violence Laws Was 'A Mistake'

 

[haymarket]

Margarita Grachova.


In December of 2017, Dmitry Grachyov (27) forced his 26-year-old wife Margarita into his car and drove her to a forest where he tied her up, forced her to kneel and severed her wrists with an ax. Her left hand was sewn back on by surgeons but she now uses a robotic prosthetic on her right hand after the violent attack. She became a cause célèbre in Russia for spousal abuse. Despite this, the Russian Duma decriminalized spousal abuse if hospitalization is not required (colloquially called the "slapping law"). Putin signed this brutal legislation into law. Dmitry Grachyov was sentenced to 14 years (due to the national notoriety of the case). In most cases, the police refuse to intervene in domestic violence calls.

Decriminalisation of domestic violence in Russia leads to fall in reported cases

Domestic battery surges in Russia after decriminalization

The dark reality of Russia’s domestic violence laws

Russian Human Rights Official Admits Softening Domestic Violence Laws Was 'A Mistake'

A tale like that is a horror story.

 

[EMNofSeattle]

Uh....yes, it absolutely has been.

Maybe the scumbag shouldn’t have beaten his children if he didn’t want to reap what he sowed.

I mean in the moral sense sure, if you’re a violent person you’ll eventually be on the recieving end of violence. That doesn’t mean that violence that eventually comes isn’t criminal or justifiable.

No, our society has not been horrible towards women. I know the feminists who are miserable and think true empowerment is being a tax slave to the government say that, but it is objectively not true. When you say that what you really mean is the old conservative social order where women raise their own children and are provided for by a husband is horrible. Rape and domestic violence are not and never have been acceptable in this society and they traditionally when proven have been harshly punished

 

[Rogue Valley]

I mean in the moral sense sure, if you’re a violent person you’ll eventually be on the recieving end of violence. That doesn’t mean that violence that eventually comes isn’t criminal or justifiable.

No, our society has not been horrible towards women. I know the feminists who are miserable and think true empowerment is being a tax slave to the government say that, but it is objectively not true. When you say that what you really mean is the old conservative social order where women raise their own children and are provided for by a husband is horrible. Rape and domestic violence are not and never have been acceptable in this society and they traditionally when proven have been harshly punished

If your stating spousal abuse/rape where not taboo subjects in the 1950's and before, you are simply lying.

But this thread isn't about the US. It's about Russia in the Russia / Ukraine forum.

You want to discuss the US and domestic abuse, there are other forums for that.

 

[ThirdTerm]

The girls will face eight to twenty years of imprisonment. At the same time, for many years the father had been physically and sexually abusive and they may get the minimum sentence. The girls cannot be set free without being charged because it would legitimize revenge killing.

 

[EMNofSeattle]

If your stating spousal abuse/rape where not taboo subjects in the 1950's and before, you are simply lying.

But this thread isn't about the US. It's about Russia in the Russia / Ukraine forum.

You want to discuss the US and domestic abuse, there are other forums for that.

You either want to discuss the US here or you want to somewhere else, you don’t get to have it both ways

 

[ecofarm]

The girls

There it is.

The women acted in self defense. You're apologizing for domestic violence.

 

[joko104]

Three sisters who killed abusive father charged with murder in Russia. Outrage ensued

'The choice for these women was either to die or they had to protect themselves to the best of their ability.'

Sisters Angelina, Maria and Christina Khachaturyan at the Basmanny court of Moscow.



Generally, there is little legal protection for girls/women who are physically/sexually abused. The legislation Putin signed into law in 2017 virtually gives a pass to spousal/familial abusers.

During the trial the sisters are restricted to living in separate municipal apartments in the Moscow region. They are forbidden to leave their places of residence at night, to communicate with anyone other than the investigator and close relatives, to use the Internet, mobile communication, or to communicate with each other.

Related: Sisters who killed abusive father spark Russia domestic violence debate

They are better off than if in the USA charged with murder. Unless they had bond, they would sit in a crowded country jail for up to 2 years awaiting trial, with a court appointed attorney with a stack of cases meeting them once a month urging them to take the plea bargain or they'll likely get a life sentence without parole after a 2 day trial. Even if found not guilty and finally released from jail, they've lost everything they have without a dollar in their pocket.

With the limited facts, a murder charge is appropriate. None of them were under attack at the time and all 3 could have left. It would appear the core motive was they wanted to keep their home and have everything in it and everything the father has - noting all 3 are adults - so killed him to get rid of him and take everything for themselves. It was not murder for self defense. It reads like it was murder for convenience and profit, making it akin to a murderous armed robbery. However, the severe abuse - if true - certainly is a major sentencing consideration and a deal for manslaughter with low prison time plus probation would seem appropriate.

 

[OldFatGuy]

Without better understanding of Russian cultures, it is impossible to judge Russian domestic relationships by American standards. This father's behavior was not the norm for Russians no more than it would be acceptable here. Most Russians, like Americans, love their children dearly and abhor this father's behavior. However, most Russian cultures and subcultures are patriarchal, and a man is the law in his household. The communist government of the Soviet Union attempted to create a more equal distribution of power in the household, at expense of the Russian Orthodox Church's influence over Russian life. With the fall of the Soviets, the increased influence of the Russian Orthodox Church has increased exponentially in the family structures and return to a patriarchal view of power in the family structures. Combined with poverty, alcoholism, drug abuse and other challenges this aberrational behavior has become more common, but no more common than such behavior is found in our own society.

The difference here is that vast education and social networking minimizes such behavior. However there is no shortage of similar events. Keep in mind, the moment such events are reported in the media, both here and in Russia, these events take on a life of their own and are magnified beyond their actual frequency of occurrence.

There is no suitable excuse for the behavior of this father. Automatic justification for the actions of the three sisters is another matter for which we should not jump to conclusions without knowing much more. Were there better alternatives available for them, or were they brutalized beyond the ability to discern those alternatives if they existed? I have no idea, and suggest your moral standards are insufficient as a base for passing judgment without far better understanding of context. These are sad horror stories none should have to endure for any reasons. But should the US be judged by the actions of Loreena Bobbitt? Your call.

 

[Rogue Valley]

From the revulsion this case is receiving in Russia (and beyond), it is apparent that the father here also breached the norms inherent in the Russian patriarchal society.

In addition, no "Christian" church should either condone or excuse any violence against kin.

Also, the Russian state added to this misery by decriminalizing abuse in the household. The Russian Human Rights ombudsperson admitted as much.

 

[Tigerace117]

I mean in the moral sense sure, if you’re a violent person you’ll eventually be on the recieving end of violence. That doesn’t mean that violence that eventually comes isn’t criminal or justifiable.

No, our society has not been horrible towards women. I know the feminists who are miserable and think true empowerment is being a tax slave to the government say that, but it is objectively not true. When you say that what you really mean is the old conservative social order where women raise their own children and are provided for by a husband is horrible. Rape and domestic violence are not and never have been acceptable in this society and they traditionally when proven have been harshly punished

Yes, the conservative social order where women were stifled--- prevented from exercising their basic rights as Americans, violence against them justified as long as it was within their household, rape excused or even actively encouraged when it was white dudes doing it to minority women--- was horrible.

And frankly, you deciding that it was just fine is totally meaningless-- it's like a white person deciding that slavery was a-okay. You and those who think like you didn't experience any adverse effects whatsoever from a system designed to keep women "in their place" so of course you think it was wonderful......regardless of what women thought.

:lamo

Speaking out or intervening against domestic violence was actively discouraged for years as "sticking your nose in other people's business". And slave owners certainly weren't punished for raping their slaves in any way, shape or form.