The Butyrsky District Court in Moscow on Monday started the trial of Maria Khachaturian, the youngest of three sisters who killed their father after being physically and psychologically abused by him, a Sputnik correspondent reported
MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 10th August, 2020) The Butyrsky District Court in Moscow on Monday started the trial of Maria Khachaturian, the youngest of three sisters who killed their father after being physically and psychologically abused by him, a Sputnik correspondent reported.
Maria is facing admittance into a mental ward instead of prison, as she was determined to have been criminally insane at the moment of the crime and thus cannot be held accountable for her actions.
The court will be deciding what kind of compulsory psychiatric care she will receive.
The hearing began at about 3-4 p.m. local time [12:00-13:00 GMT]. A few dozen supporters of the sisters, including many 18 to 20-year-old girls, gathered outside the court.
The three sisters attacked and killed their father in their apartment in Moscow. The case has become subjected to intense public scrutiny and discussion on domestic abuse in Russia.
The older sisters, Krestina and Angelina, have been charged with murder and are facing from eight to 20 years in prison. They will be tried by a jury. The jury selection will start on August 31.
