At least 15 children from the Russian Federation who arrived in the United States under exchange programs did not return, Astakhov said

At least 15 Russian children who came to the United States for various schoolchildren exchange programs did not return to their homeland. This was announced by Pavel Astakhov, Commissioner for the President of Russia for Child Rights, in an interview with Rossiy newspaper .

The children's Ombudsman noted that the case with the child, a participant in the Future Leaders Exchange (Flex) program, illegally taken under the guardianship of the family in the United States and who did not return to Russia, which was reported the day before, not one of a kind.

"For several years, we have found our children in America, who used to be exported to the states in cultural, rehabilitation, tourist programs and which were left in American families. The child came to stay in an American family for the summer - and he has no status and he has no status. We have at least one and a half dozen of these guys," said Pavel Astakhov in the interview.

According to Ombudsman, in 2011 the activities of the whole organization were suspended, which exported a group of children in the United States for summer holidays, and then offered them to adopt there. “This is a serious violation - when the child leaves for another country to rest or study, but actually adopted there. According to American laws, guardianship is practically the same as we have adoption,” Astakhov said.

Commenting on the suspension of Russia's participation in the FLEX program, the reason for which was the non -return of the home of one child, the children's ombudsman noted that the decision should be made by those bodies whose competence is included. “But, of course, we cannot leave unanswered such a flagrant case that we are talking about now,” he emphasized. Astakhov clarified that the Prosecutor General, the Foreign Ministry, as well as the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation, is currently engaged in the situation.

The Ombudsman emphasized that he is a supporter of the development of cultural exchange programs, tourism, education, children's health, rehabilitation of sick children. “I think even if it (FLEX program) is suspended due to such a flagrant case, then you need to open three others in response. And the guys who have already worked hard, preparing for the FLEX contest, and now they will not be able to show their knowledge, of course,” he added.

On the eve of the press, she reported that the American authorities did not return home to the Russian boy who was in the United States under the FLEX exchange program. As it turned out, he was transferred to the homosexual American couple, despite the fact that he has a mother in Russia. On Wednesday, Astakhov confirmed that this case was the reason for the cessation of Russia's participation in the Flex program.

In the US State Department, meanwhile, the FLEX has not heard of any adopted participant, now the department is busy checking this information, Kommersant reports. The press secretary of the US Embassy in the Russian Federation William Stevens and representatives of the US Institute of Adoption are also not aware of what happened.

The Honorary Director of the Institute Adam Pertman told Kommersant that several participants in the educational exchange programs had previously tried to stay in the United States, but nothing came of it. "Immigration authorities strictly control such visits and potential parents, when trying to adopt or take such a student under the guardianship of such a student, could simply not draw up the necessary documents," he assured.

Meanwhile, Russian schoolchildren who participate in the competitive selection published an online pattern with a request to the Government of the Russian Federation to allow participation in the FLEX program. According to them, for most children, FLEX is the only opportunity to learn in another country, since "not every family is able to pay a lot of money for learning their child." In the first day, more than 1,500 people signed the petition.