What Developments Are There in the Khachatryan Sisters Case

The criminal case of the Khachatryan sisters, who are accused of killing their father with premeditated agreement as part of a group, will be heard in a closed regime in capital's court, provided the indictment is approved. This information was reported by TASS.

“If the Prosecutor General's Office confirms the indictment and the sisters' case is sent to court, it will be heard in a closed regime for media and listeners since the state prosecutor will present a corresponding motion, related to the fact that the case materials repeatedly mention instances of ridicule and violence against the daughters by their father,” stated the agency's source.

According to them, the case concerning the younger sister will be heard in an even more closed regime should a decision be made to apply medical measures. “But the indictment has not been confirmed, so it is possible that the case will be returned to the investigative bodies for a second time,” the source clarified.

According to Article 241 of the Russian Criminal Procedure Code, court proceedings in a criminal case are conducted in a closed regime if the materials contain information about sexual inviolability and crimes against an individual’s sexual freedom, as well as other offenses that “can lead to the disclosure of information about the intimate life of the participants in the criminal proceedings or information that humiliates their honor and dignity.” Hearings regarding the selection of medical measures are also held in a closed regime.

It was reported the day before that the materials of the Khachatryan sisters' case have once again been forwarded to the reviewing body by the Investigative Committee of Russia for the approval of the indictment. According to TASS, if the Prosecutor General confirms them, the materials will be directed to one of the capital’s courts for examination by the end of summer.

The actions of the girls have been qualified as murder committed by a group of individuals by prior agreement. Moreover, the materials concerning the younger sister have been separated from the main case since she was previously declared insane by experts at the time of the attributed crime. The Investigative Committee insists that medical measures are necessary for her as she is in need of compulsory treatment.