Italian сourt blocks return of orphans evacuated from Ukraine

Source: Ansa

An Italian court has ruled against the return of 57 orphans who were evacuated from Berdyansk in March 2022, at the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The children, aged 6 to 16, are currently residing in the province of Bergamo under the care of Italian social services.

The Juvenile Court of Brescia ruled that the children will remain in Italy indefinitely, housed in three separate centers. Initially, the verdict had granted the group a temporary 2-week stay status, but this decision was overturned.

Ukrainian officials had requested the children’s return, but the court’s ruling argued that many of the orphans have already applied for an international protection status, arguing they may not feel safe on their return to the areas near active conflict zones.

The Brescia court, which has jurisdiction over the Bergamo region where the children are staying, emphasized the importance of keeping all 57 children together as a single group, and under the care of the same guardian.

These orphans were evacuated from two orphanages in Berdyansk, a city occupied by Russian forces in the early months of Russia’s invasion. Another important issue that swayed the court decision was the fact that some of the children are still receiving treatment in Bergamo hospitals for serious health conditions.