Astakhov reports rise in children's recruitment for extremist organizations in Russia
NOVOSIBIRSK. Jan 18 (Interfax) - The recruitment of children for extremist and terrorist organizations has lately become a problem in Russia, Pavel Astakhov, the Russian president's ombudsman for children's rights, said in Novosibirsk on Monday.
"The situation is not just very dangerous, it is extremely dangerous," he said.
According to the law enforcement authorities, 293 women and 276 children have departed from the North Caucasus Federal District for Syria and Iraq to reunite with their husbands and fathers, he said. Special operations that were held in the North Caucasus Federal District uncovered 2,396 minors - close relatives of persons involved in extremism and terrorism, who were either killed in anti-terrorism operations or convicted.
People whose relatives are involved in extremism have been identified in the North Caucasus, Astakhov said.