The Chisinau Appeals Court decided to put off the imprisonment of the mother of five Victoria Pruteanu, who mortally stabbed her violent husband while protecting herself, IPN reports.

Though the court upheld the decision of the ordinary court of law – to jail the woman for three years and eight months – the woman will serve time in prison in four years, when her youngest child turns eight. However, Victoria Pruteanu will serve only one year and eight months as she was under house arrest for two years.

Also, the Appeals Court decided that the sector police inspector and social worker, who ignored the complaints about domestic violence submitted by Victoria Pruteanu during many years, will also be investigated.

Victoria Pruteanu’s lawyer said the woman is innocent as she only protected herself and the Chisinau Appeals Court’s judgment will be thus challenged in a higher court so that she is fully acquitted.

The case of Victoria Pruteanu was in the news after she was handcuffed in the presence of her children based on the Straseni Court’s decision. Thousands of people came together in several hours and, under the pressure of society, the woman was transferred under house arrest.