Recently internet-based relations and scandals causing quarrels within couples, parallel the love stories that begin with just a random phone call. Such cases, if revealed, may result in divorce. The number of cases, when the husband uses force,  notwithstanding who's guilty, has increased. The quarrel turns into a fight, the wife then goes to the police and files  a case. Lately,  some similar cases have even ended up in murder. 

The love affair betwwen  25 year-old Samvel Tsakanyan, a resident of  the village of Kaxakn in Artsakh's Shahumyan region who is a contract military employee, and Anna Mushegyan, a resident of the village of Solak, resulted in the death of 25 years old Anjela Dashyan – Samvel's wife.   

''I killed her because she was jealous'',- Samvel Tsakanyan justified his deed this way later at court. 

The love story of Samvel and Anna goes back 1.5 years.  They got to know each other after a phone call to a wrong number and this call turned out to be fatal for them. 

Six months after their acquaintance, Ann confessed that she was in love with Samvel, who promised to marry her. In September 2011, Anna called Samvel, but his wife Angela answered the phone. When Anna asked for Samvel, Angela told her that Samvel was married and demanded that she leave him alone. This was how Ann learnt that Samvel was married. Anyway, it didn’t prevent them from continuing their romance. Samvel promised to get a divorce and marry her. 

Besides phone conversations, Anna and Samvel managed to meet twice. During their second meeting on June 1, 2012, Samvel suggestedthat they run away together. Anna refused to join him, but later in the evening she sent a love message to Samvel stating that she loved him and would run away with him. 14 days after the meeting Anna had a phone conversation with Samvel.  She only learnt a few days later  that he killed his wife by cutting her throat. 

On June 24,  the day of the murder, Samvel and Angela quarreled again. Anna's love message to Samvel was the reason for the quarrel.On that day the Tsakanyan family was to move from Khaxakn to Chapli village in Artsakh's Shahumyan region. On their way, Angela and Samvel kept silent. They only spoke to their kids. At around 4pm they reached the military boarding room in Chapli. Samvel exited the car along with wife and children, saying that he’d return for their baggage. After several minutes he returned with two of the kids  and asked the driver Misha Saghatelyan, who was Samvel’s acquaintance, to take them to Vardenis. Sasha refused asTsakanyan had no money to pay. At the same time, he found it strange that Samvel wanted to return. After the driver refused, Samvel returned to the boarding room with the children, came back alone and started to walk towards main road. 

“I called his name several times, asked him to take their baggage, but he didn’t answer. I took their baggage to their flat. I called Angela’s name: no answer. I put the baggage in the corridor, entered bedroom and immediately noticed Angela laying under blanket, her face covered with pillows.”,Sasha Saghatelyan recounts. 

Sasha saw traces of blood on the bed. First he thought Samvel had beat his wife. He immediately informed the neighbors and moved towards Vardenis, taking out the remaining part of baggage. Near the metal bridge of Chapli he noticed Samvel Tsakanyan and stopped the car.Samvel got into the car and once again asked to take him to Vardenis,  saying that he had killed his wife and wanted to go to the police to confess. 

Two of Angela’s neighbors who were informed by the driver, hurried to Tsakanyan’s flat  to help. The frightened women found tAngela's dead body with a knife in the throat. 

Samvel Tsakanyan was charged according to the chapter 1, Article 104, of RA Criminal Code. The accused totally accepted his guilt.  Samvel Tsakanyan refused to give testimony in the Court of first Instance due to his right prescribed by law. 

“I know he killed my daughter on purpose’’, says Angela’smother, Shushanik Dashyan. She was the legal successor of the victim in the court. “Before taking my daughter and children to  Chapli, he instructed Angela to call and say goodbye to her relatives, as she wouldn’t see them any longer.” 

According to the conclusion number 30 of forensic specialist Angela Dashyan’s death was resulted by exterior blooding because of a knife-cut into throat. There were also brushes and signs of beating over her left eyelid, which were a result of a stab with a solid subject and couldn't  serve a reason for death.  Samvel Tsakanyan was not under affect and totally conscious of what he was doing. 

The Court of First Instance of Gegharquniq, Judge VahagnMeliqyan presiding, found Samvel Tsakanyan guilty according to the chapter 1, Article 104, of the RA Criminal Code and convicted him to 12 years imprisonment. 

P.S. If you have witnessed a case of domestic violence, please alert the Rapid Response Unit at http://rru.swv.am/:

SWV Rapid Response Unit

In the scope of the Rapid Response Unit created by Society without Violence NGO, we present   another case of domestic violence with a tragic ending. The mission of Rapid Response Unit is to uncover cases of domestic violence in our society, give them public coverage, and to pursue a transparent and fair investigation.