Armenian NGOs “Society without violence” and “Women’s Rights Center” called on the citizens to be involved in the tragic story of a 20-year-old Zaruhi Petrosyan who was killed by her husband and mother-in-law. NEWS.am posts the text of the statement.

Dear Colleagues,

On October 1, 2010 20-year-old Zaruhi Petrosyan died as a result of inhuman torture and beatings in the Masis town of Armenia. According to the interview given to NEWS.am by Zaruhi’s sister (http://news.am/arm/news/33022.htm), woman’s husband and mother-in-law broke her fingers so that she wouldn’t be able to phone emergency service for help. Later they pushed her down the stairs to hide their horrible actions under accident.

Currently Zaruhi Petrosyan’s husband Yanis Sarkisov is under arrest. A criminal case has been processed by the Article 112, 2nd Paragraph, 4th point of the Criminal Code of RA (Infliction of willful heavy damage to health with particular cruelty).

Our silence is claiming that such cases are common in Armenian society and our indifference allows such cases be continued and repeated.

Thus, we call on women NGOs, mass media and interested international organizations to be observant and follow-up this case enabling transparency and fairness of the trail procedure on this case. The guilty people must be punished by the law, as the acquittal of these people will lead to new cases of violence.

An initiative group of NGOs was formed in order to provide the publicity of the case, to follow-up the process of the criminal case and to reach the fair verdict.

All interested people can join the group, as we can reach the Justice only by joint efforts. You can send your comments and suggestions to the initiative group by October 27 to the following e-mails: [email protected], [email protected]

You can also join online petition addressed to Armenian Prime Minister “Armenia must pass law on domestic violence” by the following link: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/armenia-must-pass-domestic-abuse-law/