"Little Fire Extinguisher": Minor in Russia Faces Criminal Investigation for Dousing National War Memorial
Russian Investigative Committee Head Initiates Actions against Child-Related Matters
The iconic "Eternal Flame," symbolizing the Russian soldiers who perished in World War II, was doused by an 8-year-old child in the Yaroslavl region on a national holiday. This unconventional act has led to a dramatic response from Russian authorities, culminating in the initiation of a criminal case against the child, as reported by the opposition publication "Meduza."
The youngster, born in 2017, was observed pedaling a bicycle to the memorial, where he proceeded to pour water from a flower vase onto the flaming tribute. The ensuing fire-outbreak raised eyebrows and prompted investigation, with the authorities calling it "an act of desecration of a symbol of military glory." This grave offense is categorized under Article 354.1 of the Russian Criminal Code, pertaining to "rehabilitation of Nazism."
A video capturing the incident shared by "Meduza" shows the child approaching the memorial, dousing the flame, and then riding away. Officials from the youth affairs department have reportedly held a cautionary conversation with the child and their guardians, delving into the motives behind this unusual act. The case files have been handed over to the local youth commission for further examination.
It's unclear why the child decided to extinguish the flame. This incident transpired on "Russia Day," a celebratory national holiday commemorating the country's independence. Similar occurrences involving "Eternal Flames" have cropped up in Russia as per "Meduza," with authorities leaping into action by filing charges for "vandalism" and "rehabilitation of Nazism."
In recent times, there have been discussions surrounding lowering the age of criminal responsibility to 14 for specific offenses in Russia. This move may have repercussions, potentially leading to the criminalization of seemingly harmless childhood behaviors that would not be deemed law-breaking in most legal systems. The potential consequences stand to undermine international child protection principles, which prioritize rehabilitation over punishment for minors, and set minimum ages for criminal responsibility.
Politically Speaking "Oh boy, what a mess." Russian court sentences Navalny ally Volkov to 18 years in prison The incident involving the "Eternal Flame" incident is not unprecedented in Russia, as "Meduza" has chronicled several similar occurrences in the past. These incidents often elicit harsh responses from authorities, who swiftly initiate criminal cases for alleged vandalism and rehabilitation of Nazism.
- The community policy and general-news publications, such as Meduza, have reported on the escalating number of incidents in Russia where individuals, including minors, have faced criminal investigations for actions perceived as acts of desecration against national symbols, like the Eternal Flame.
- Amidst recent discussions to lower the age of criminal responsibility to 14 years for certain offenses in Russia, officials may be overlooking the importance of employment policy that promotes the idea of rehabilitation over punishment for minors, potentially leading to the criminalization of what are generally considered harmless childhood behaviors, thereby undermining international child protection principles.
