Scientists compare brutal murder in Chechnya with Khachaturyan sisters' case

The brutal murder of two women in Chechnya, of committing which their sister and daughter are suspected, could have been preceded by domestic violence or restrictions by elders, scientists have suggested.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that a 17-year-old girl is suspected of having stabbed her sister and mother on August 23. According to investigators, the suspect had a long lasting dislike of her 27-year-old sister.

The girl has pleaded guilty and stated that she had planned her sister's execution in advance; and her mother was an accidental victim, a law enforcement source has informed.

Anna Krai, a psychologist, did not rule out that the girl could not get protection from law enforcers, as it was the case with the Khachaturyan sisters, and being brought to despair she committed the crime. Ms Krai has added that a murder of one's sister and mother is an exceptional case for Chechnya.

Irina Kosterina, a sociologist, sees no parallels with the Khachaturyan sisters' case. "There, the murder was provoked by many years of violence. Chechnya, more likely, is characterized by an uncured post-traumatic syndrome after deportation and two wars. People's life is pierced with violence and the feeling of injustice," Ms Kosterina believes.

The family in which the tragedy occurred had been considered quite trouble-free, the casualties' relatives assert.

"It's hard for me to imagine that a person in one's sane mind, especially a girl, could so cruelly slaughter her sister and mother. She was either really insane or, as some say, demon-possessed," said Khasan, a local resident.