YEREVAN, AUGUST 21, ARMENPRESS. Russian investigators have decided to drop criminal proceedings against the three teen sisters who murdered their father on grounds of having suffered severe physical and sexual abuse, according to Kommersant newspaper.

Maria, Angelina, and Krestina Khachaturyan bludgeoned and stabbed their 57-year-old father, Mikhail to death last year, and claimed they’ve done so in an attempt to escape from abuse.

They were 17, 18 and 19 years old at the time. The sisters reported the attack to police and admitted carrying it out. They claimed their lives were in danger if they didn’t take the action. Detectives determined that the Khachaturyan sisters were beaten almost daily by their father, and also suffered sexual abuse.

According to a report by Kommersant the investigation has confirmed the teenagers’ claims.

Lawyers of the sisters believe that they will be able to achieve a self-defense ruling and that the criminal prosecution will be dropped.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan