A Turkish court has sentenced a Russian teenager to 15 years in prison for abandoning her newborn child in an airport bathroom, Russian state media reported Monday.
Yekaterina Burnashkina, 18, and her 47-year-old mother, Yelena, were arrested at Antalya Airport on Oct. 13, 2024, after cleaning staff discovered the newborn girl in the toilet bowl of a restroom. The infant, whose leg was stuck in the toilet drain according to court documents, was placed in an orphanage.
Antalya’s Fourth High Criminal Court found Burnashkina guilty of attempted murder of a close relative, according to the state-run RIA Novosti news agency.
A separate court last week acquitted Yelena Burnashkina of all charges and allowed her to return to Russia, RIA Novosti reported.
Russia’s Consul General in Antalya, Sergei Vetrik, said earlier this month that his diplomatic mission was working to bring Yekaterina Burnashkina back to Russia. The Russian consulate has not commented on the latest verdict.
Burnashkina’s lawyer, who argued that her client had no criminal intent, told RIA Novosti she plans to appeal the conviction. However, she added that Burnashkina is unlikely to be extradited to Russia.
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.
