MOSCOW, November 1 (RIA Novosti) — Investigations and legal assessments are underway on the circumstances behind the recent cases of confiscation and placement in protective custody of children from Russian families living in Norway, the Investigative Committee of Russia reported Saturday.
“The investigations will verify the circumstances behind the gross violation of rights of Russian children, who have been obviously placed into foster homes illegally, and a legal assessment will also be given in regards to the actions of the officials who have violated the rights and legitimate interests of the Russian citizens,” the spokesperson of the Investigative Committee, Vladimir Markin told reporters.
“If any criminal offenses against the Russian children are uncovered, the Investigative Committee of Russia will file court cases accordingly,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs told RIA Novosti on Saturday that its embassy in Norway is following up on the recently reported cases of children taken away from Russian families.
On Saturday, the Children's Rights Commissioner, Pavel Astakhov, reported that the Norwegian Children’s Welfare Services, accompanied by police, went to the home of a Russian family living in the east of Norway and confiscated the 6-year old girl.
Prior to this incident, the CWS picked a 5-year old boy from school and placed him into protective custody, claiming that the mother forcefully "yanked" out one of his loose baby tooth. The mother however explained that the incident happened accidentally while she was helping him undress.
Astakhov is scheduled to discuss the issue with a UN Special Representative in Minsk on November 12.
