April 30, 2025

A Posthumous Conviction


A Posthumous Conviction
Jail cell. Russian Life File.

On April 21, Mikhail Khachaturyan, stabbed to death by his daughters in 2018, was posthumously convicted of sexually abusing his children. The conviction was a legal victory for the Khachaturian sisters, whose case sparked widespread debate about domestic violence in Russia.

In 2018, the 19-, 18-, and 17-year-old daughters of Khachaturian murdered their father. It was quickly revealed that the 57-year-old murder victim had been physically and sexually abusing his daughters Angelina, Krestina, and Maria Khachaturian for years. Mikhail’s relatives publicly defended him and shamed his daughters in court and the media. The case prompted discussions in Russia and abroad about many subjects that are still widely considered taboo: domestic violence, sexual violence, and incest. 

Angelina, Krestina, and Maria (who was a minor at the time of the crime) spent time in pre-trial detention centers. Currently, the Khachaturians are free but face restrictions in their use of the internet, and they are not allowed to communicate with the media. 

The defense used Telegram and Whatsapp messages, testimonies of 30 witnesses, and linguistic, psychological, and psychiatric evaluations to reconstruct the abuses endured by the sisters since 2014. Psychiatrists have diagnosed all sisters with post traumatic stress disorder and attributed the diagnosis to the sexual abuse from their father. Physical exams on Angelina, Krestina, and Maria have shown wounds compatible with their allegations. In 2021, the court recognized the sisters as victims. Mikhail Khacharurian’s posthumous trial began in 2023.

The sisters have been able to start rebuilding their lives. They finished school, have jobs and rent their own apartments. On April 21, their father was found guilty of committing violent sexual acts, beatings, and producing and distributing pornography online. Alexey Parshin, one of the sisters' lawyers, said, “[the sisters] are very happy, [the defense] are very happy. Everyone is happy except for Mikhail Khachaturian’s side.”

Even though Mikhail Khachaturian was declared guilty, the verdict has not yet come into effect. Khachaturian’s relatives are expected to appeal the decision. The sisters' future is still uncertain, as their criminal case is ongoing. Parshin said, ”We hope that the Investigative Committee will now finally decide that the girls were providing necessary self-defense and will stop criminal prosecution.” 

Despite facing a domestic violence epidemic with soldiers returning from Russia’s war in Ukraine, the country still does not have robust laws that protect against domestic violence. 

You Might Also Like

Notes at the Front
  • May 10, 2024

Notes at the Front

A journalist is convicted for telling the truth, and emigrés offer some poignant vignettes.
  • February 10, 2024

"I Breathed a Sigh of Relief"

The war has increased cases of domestic abuse, yet in one instance things went in an entirely different direction.
Women's Rights in Wartime
  • March 04, 2025

Women's Rights in Wartime

Women's rights activists face increased pressure and reduced domestic violence resources in Russia.
Returning Home to Kill
  • April 29, 2024

Returning Home to Kill

More than 100 persons have been killed by returning Russian soldiers since the beginning of Russia's War on Ukraine.
Violence Comes Home, Too
  • April 22, 2023

Violence Comes Home, Too

A man from Nizhny Novgorod fought in Ukraine. When he returned to Russia, he killed his wife.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

Bears in the Caviar
May 01, 2015

Bears in the Caviar

Bears in the Caviar is a hilarious and insightful memoir by a diplomat who was “present at the creation” of US-Soviet relations. Charles Thayer headed off to Russia in 1933, calculating that if he could just learn Russian and be on the spot when the US and USSR established relations, he could make himself indispensable and start a career in the foreign service. Remarkably, he pulled it of.

Survival Russian
February 01, 2009

Survival Russian

Survival Russian is an intensely practical guide to conversational, colloquial and culture-rich Russian. It uses humor, current events and thematically-driven essays to deepen readers’ understanding of Russian language and culture. This enlarged Second Edition of Survival Russian includes over 90 essays and illuminates over 2000 invaluable Russian phrases and words.

Fearful Majesty
July 01, 2014

Fearful Majesty

This acclaimed biography of one of Russia’s most important and tyrannical rulers is not only a rich, readable biography, it is also surprisingly timely, revealing how many of the issues Russia faces today have their roots in Ivan’s reign.

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka
November 01, 2012

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka

In this comprehensive, quixotic and addictive book, Edwin Trommelen explores all facets of the Russian obsession with vodka. Peering chiefly through the lenses of history and literature, Trommelen offers up an appropriately complex, rich and bittersweet portrait, based on great respect for Russian culture.

At the Circus
January 01, 2013

At the Circus

This wonderful novella by Alexander Kuprin tells the story of the wrestler Arbuzov and his battle against a renowned American wrestler. Rich in detail and characterization, At the Circus brims with excitement and life. You can smell the sawdust in the big top, see the vivid and colorful characters, sense the tension build as Arbuzov readies to face off against the American.

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas
October 01, 2013

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas

This exciting new trilogy by a Russian author – who has been compared to Orhan Pamuk and Umberto Eco – vividly recreates a lost world, yet its passions and characters are entirely relevant to the present day. Full of mystery, memorable characters, and non-stop adventure, The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas is a must read for lovers of historical fiction and international thrillers.

 
Woe From Wit (bilingual)
June 20, 2017

Woe From Wit (bilingual)

One of the most famous works of Russian literature, the four-act comedy in verse Woe from Wit skewers staid, nineteenth century Russian society, and it positively teems with “winged phrases” that are essential colloquialisms for students of Russian and Russian culture.

Stargorod: A Novel in Many Voices
May 01, 2013

Stargorod: A Novel in Many Voices

Stargorod is a mid-sized provincial city that exists only in Russian metaphorical space. It has its roots in Gogol, and Ilf and Petrov, and is a place far from Moscow, but close to Russian hearts. It is a place of mystery and normality, of provincial innocence and Black Earth wisdom. Strange, inexplicable things happen in Stargorod. So do good things. And bad things. A lot like life everywhere, one might say. Only with a heavy dose of vodka, longing and mystery.

About Us

Russian Life is the 31-year-old publication of an award-winning publishing house that also creates books, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955