'I'll tape your mouth shut': Kindergarten scandal erupts in Chelyabinsk
Two teachers have been fired from kindergarten No. 257 in Chelyabinsk following a scandal involving an audio recording made in the junior group. The prosecutor«s office is inspecting the institution, and the Investigative Committee (SK) opened a criminal torture case on Thursday, January 29.
Our colleagues from Channel 31 report that the audio recording of events in the kindergarten group was made on a dictaphone hidden in a soft toy by a concerned mother. She had noticed her son had begun crying constantly and was afraid of everything. Her fears were confirmed: the group had an unhealthy atmosphere. The parents gave the recording of the two teachers« »upbringing« methods to journalist colleagues.
On the recording, two teachers can be heard alternately scolding the children—for not having gone to the toilet or simply for behaving restlessly.
«If you wet your pants, I won»t change you. You«ve already pissed, you goat! Sit down, Misha,» is heard on the audio recording. «I»ll tape you to this chair with packing tape. I«ll tape someone»s mouth shut with packing tape.«
Prosecutors have already begun an inspection at the kindergarten, and the Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case under several parts of the article on «Torture.»
«Parents express concern about changes in their children»s behavior, manifested in crying, aggression, fear, and sleep disturbances. They are convinced that due to disobedience, the teachers repeatedly used physical force and foul language against their children,« the Investigative Committee»s Directorate (SU SK) reported.
Under clauses «a», «g», «e» of Part 2 of Article 117 of the Russian Criminal Code (torture of two or more minors by a group of persons), the penalty is three to seven years of imprisonment with deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for up to three years or without such restriction.
«The teacher and the assistant teacher are no longer working at the kindergarten as of today. Tomorrow, other teachers will take over the group,» the education committee of the Chelyabinsk city administration reported.
