An Italian court has prohibited the return of 57 orphaned children to Ukraine. They were taken from Berdyansk at the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion, in March 2022.
This was reported by Ansa.
It is noted that the Juvenile Court of Brescia allowed the immediate transfer of Ukrainian children aged 6 to 16, who are in the province of Bergamo, under the care of Italian social services. They are allowed to continue their stay in three centers without any time restrictions.
Previously, the placement of Ukrainian orphaned children was allowed for two weeks, but the court has canceled this decision. The Ukrainian authorities had requested the return of the children.
In the court's ruling, it is mentioned that many of the children have already applied, and the rest intend to apply for international protection from the territorial commission. It is noted that the minors "fear for their safety due to the possibility of returning to areas close to the theater of military operations."
The jurisdiction of the Brescia court extends to the Bergamo region, where the children are currently staying. The court emphasized that all the children should remain, as they arrived as a single group and are represented by one responsible person.
It should be added that the 57 orphaned children, aged 6 to 16, arrived in Bergamo with several caregivers in March 2022. The group came from two orphanages in Berdyansk, which was occupied by Russian forces. It is known that many of the children are receiving treatment in Bergamo hospitals for various serious conditions.
