The Russian ombudsman for children's rights has sent an aide to the central Vladimir Region to investigate reports of child abuse in the St. Bogolyubovsky Convent.
"We will make public our conclusions after an inspection," Pavel Astakhov said.
Media reports claim that the convent's nuns victimized teenagers from a local orphanage, beating them with belts and forcing them to make numerous bows, as well as depriving them of food and sleep as "punishments".
The convent was investigated a year ago after claims of mistreatment, but no action was taken.
"We are now contacting the Moscow Patriarchate to coordinate our actions, as the issue is very delicate and demands a special attitude and a thorough investigation so as not to infringe upon anyone's rights," Astakhov said.
"We do not have proof of either version of events yet," he said.
MOSCOW, October 20 (RIA Novosti)
