Epress.am News from Armenia
Domestic violence victim Siranush Aghabekyan receives no support from the police or the courts, she said at a press conference at the Media Center in central Yerevan today. Siranush said that her husband, Levon Aghabekyan, under the influence of alcohol repeatedly beat her, though she decided to go to the police only last year when her husband stabbed her. According to Siranush, this was not the first time her husband stabbed her, but since the injury this time was much more severe she decided to take the matter to court.
In the courtroom, the couple's son publicly asked his mother to forgive his father. As a result, the man was released by the court.
"I forgave [him] only on the condition that he lives far away from our home and Vanadzor," said Siranush, remarking that the incidents of violence, however, did not stop after that.
Siranush's lawyer, Tigran Muradyan, at the press conference today said that domestic violence should be treated as a matter of public prosecution, so the defendant should be convicted even if the complaint is withdrawn. With this rationale, Siranush and her lawyer took the case to the Court of Appeal. Siranush continued the court case against her husband, since he continued his violent behavior.
"He told his relatives, ok to sit [in prison], [but] I have to cause some harm to the children first and then sit [in prison]. He meant me, my son and daughter," said Siranush, adding that her husband fulfilled his promise — by setting fire to their home in January this year.
Criminal proceedings were dismissed on the grounds that Levon Aghabekyan set fire to his own property.
"The court did not take into account that three more people are co-owners of the house," said the attorney, Muradyan.
According to Siranush Aghabekyan, she and her children are now left on the street, forced to live in their relatives' home. Furthermore, they receive no compensation and are under threat of new attacks.