The Russian IC Office of Criminal Investigations for Penza Oblast initiated a criminal case after complaints from pupils of the Mokshan Orphanage for Retarded Children about violence and humiliation by the director. The case was initiated under the article on abuse of office (Article 286 of the Criminal Code). The press service of the regional Office of Criminal Investigations reported this.
Pupils of the Mokshan Orphanage for Retarded Children, located 40 km from Penza, accused its director Zaur Ivanov of the use of violence against them. Left Front Penza posted a video message on its YouTube channel on the night of November 29–30.
The pupils stated in the video (is at 7x7’s disposal) that the director insulted and humiliated them and other teenagers, caused them physical pain, was drunk during his working hours and forced boys to sleep with girls. Director Zaur Ivanov denied this statement.
The pupils of the orphanage in Mokshan also sent their video message to Anna Kuznetsova, the children's rights ombudsman in Russia, and Senator from Penza Oblast Maria Lvova-Belova. Anna Kuznetsova appealed to the Investigating Committee and the Prosecutor's office with a request to inspect the orphanage in Mokshan.
Later, the director of the Mokshan orphanage was dismissed by order of Ivan Belozertsev, the Governor of Penza Oblast.
Currently, investigators are establishing the facts of the incident. The criminal investigation continues.