VIDEO: Almaty Children's Shelters Suspected of Encouraging Youth Suicides

Almaty’s children’s shelters are suspected of encouraging youth suicides, as reported by Kazakh Telegram channels.

Charitable institutions operated under the guise of children’s shelters. During searches, foreign religious literature and other educational materials were discovered, including materials recognized and banned for extremism in Kazakhstan.

"Minors living in these shelters were systematically involved in religious rituals and collective prayers. Children were punished by being deprived of food and water, and in some cases, physical violence was used," reports police.kz.

The investigation is currently ongoing. Other details pertinent to the investigation are not subject to publication.