15:09, 29 June 2021

Georgian Ombudsperson meets pupils of Ninotsminda boarding school

Nino Lomdjariya, the Ombudsperson, at the territory of the boarding school in Ninotsminda. Photo by the press service of the Georgian Ombudsperson's office

Employees of the Ombudsperson's office have received access to the territory of the boarding school in Ninotsminda, where they met pupils and began studying the school documentation, Nino Lomdjariya, the Ombudsperson, has informed.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that some pupils stated that they would not stay in the boarding school; they were taken out. On June 6, the court ruled that all of them should be distributed among families and shelters. On June 14, the Georgian Catholicos-Patriarch replaced the head of the boarding school. The new principal announced a staff cleansing and a reform plan.

For almost a year, the Ombudsperson's staff could not get into the boarding school that belongs to the Georgian Orthodox Church; and the Archbishop of Shalta did not let social workers there too.

The Ombudsperson has stated that she recommends moving all the pupils under alternative care, the "Sputnik Georgia" reports.

Let us remind you that on June 3, Ms Lomdjariya reported that since 2016, three criminal cases were initiated about violence in this boarding school, and one – about rape. Eleven NGOs demanded an immediate authorities' reaction and stressed that the boarding school was run by Bishop Spiridon (Abuladze), who was suspected of rape.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on June 29, 2021 at 09:43 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

Source: CK correspondent