Italian court bans return of Berdiansk orphans to Ukraine

The report says that the Juvenile Court of Brescia has authorized the immediate transfer of Ukrainian children, aged 6 to 16, currently in the Bergamo province, to the care of Italian social services. The court has permitted their continued stay in three centers, with no specific time limit set.

Previously, these Ukrainian orphans were allowed to stay for just two weeks, but the court has overturned that decision. The Ukrainian authorities had requested the children's return.

The court's ruling indicates that many of these children have already applied, or intend to apply, for international protection from the territorial commission. It is said that the minors "fear for their safety due to the prospect of returning to areas near the active war zone."

The jurisdiction of the Brescia court extends to the Bergamo region, where the children are currently located. The court emphasized that all the children must remain in Italy as they arrived as a single group, under the supervision of one responsible individual.

To add, these 57 orphans, aged between 6 and 16, arrived in Bergamo in March 2022, along with several caregivers. The group came from two orphanages in Berdiansk, which was occupied by Russian forces. It is known that many of the children are receiving treatment in Bergamo hospitals for various serious conditions.

Deportation of Ukrainian children

According to Ukraine's human rights ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets, Russia has deported over 19,000 Ukrainian children.

The Hague court has authorized the arrest of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin in connection with the deportation of Ukrainian children. Additionally, the European Union has imposed sanctions on several individuals involved in the illegal removal of Ukrainian children, including Russian and Belarusian citizens.

Ukraine has also established an international coalition to facilitate the return of these children.