Russia’s children's rights ombudsman Pavel Astakhov has reportedly resigned, the RBC news agency claimed Thursday, citing unnamed sources.
A public petition calling to oust the ombudsman has gathered more than 150,000 signatures since it was launched last week. Astakhov has long been known for his controversial statements concerning women and children, but sparked public anger recently when he asked young survivor of fatal boating accident, “how was your swim?”
Advisor to the ombudsman, Renat Abdeev, said that he could not confirm the information, claiming that Astakhov was “currently attending an event at the Foreign Ministry together with the President.”
Kremlin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov also told RBC that there were as yet no orders concerning Astakhov’s resignation.
Astakhov was appointed Russia’s children's rights ombudsman in 2009. He had previously ran a law firm with a number of high-ranking officials among its clients, and hosted the Russian television show Court Hour.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
