More than 100 cases of systematic physical and psychological abuse of children at the Center for Special Social Services in Ayagoz district, Abai region, have been recorded, the regional prosecutor's office said following inspections, as reported by infohub.kz.
According to the supervisory authority, the abuse of children with special needs was carried out by the facility's orderlies, who took advantage of the helpless state of their charges. The inspections were conducted at Centers for the Provision of Special Social Services in the region.
In addition to the abuse itself, the prosecutor's office identified inaction by certain employees of the facility. These employees were present during the commission of unlawful acts but took no measures to stop them.
"In addition, inaction by certain employees of the facility was identified; they were present during the commission of unlawful acts and did not take measures to stop them," the Abai region prosecutor's office said.
A pre-trial investigation has been launched under Part 3 of Article 140 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan — failure to fulfill duties regarding the upbringing of a minor, committed against two or more persons.
To ensure the safety of the children, those involved have been suspended from their official duties and restricted from contact with the children.