Pupils of an orphanage in the Penza region complained of cruel treatment. The director was fired

Children's Ombudsman Anna Kuznetsova said that she received information about ill-treatment of pupils of the Mokshansky orphanage in the Penza region. She called on the regional governor, the Investigative Committee and the prosecutor’s office to conduct checks, RIA Novosti reports.

Kuznetsova added that a special commission was sent to the boarding home. Later, the governor of the Penza region, Ivan Belozertsev, ordered the dismissal of the director of the boarding school.

“I received an appeal from the pupils of the Mokshansky orphanage with complaints about the actions of the director, I sent an inspection there today. The director's actions will be assessed. I instruct the Minister of Labor and Social Protection to fire him by the end of the day,” Belozertsev said.

The director of the institution, Zaur Ivanov, was appointed to the position in March 2020. According to the governor, Ivanov’s predecessor Viktor Druzhinin coped with the situation, although various situations arose.

“Together with the Mokshan administration, select several candidates [for the post of director]. This position is not easy, there are children with disabilities. There must be a director who loves children, tolerant, who could continue the traditions that were laid by Druzhinin,” TASS quotes the governor.

A video message from the residents of the boarding home was published on the Left Front Penza YouTube channel. Zaur Ivanov, in a conversation with 7x7, denied the students’ accusations of using physical violence, insults and drunkenness in the workplace. He said that some pupils have a “bad character” and take any criticism to heart. Ivanov claims that he did not watch and does not want to watch the video message. On November 30, he gathered the students to discuss the situation.

“They cried and regretted recording this video. Yes, as a former military man - I served in the army for 30 years and participated in two Chechen campaigns - I treat [my students] with discipline and strictness. But I never said a rude word to them, I didn’t even raise my voice half a tone. I never laid a finger on a single soldier in the army. And here are the sick children - where?” - he said.

The investigative department of the Investigative Committee for the region began a pre-investigation check, the department’s press service reports .