Russian Official Seeks Lower Criminal Responsibility Age and Stronger School Safety Measures

Chairman of Russia's Investigative Committee Alexander Bastrykin has voiced support for introducing criminal liability for parents who fail to properly raise their children, arguing that responsibility for juvenile behavior begins within the family. Bastrykin made the remarks during the International Youth Legal Forum, held as part of the St. Petersburg International Legal Forum. Under current Russian law, parents who fail to fulfill their child-rearing responsibilities face administrative rather than criminal liability.