Deputy Prime Minister Weighs In on Baganashyl Orphanage Scandal

Deputy Prime Minister Yermek Kosherbayev addressed the controversial attempt to forcibly relocate children from the Baganashyl orphanage to Qonayev — a scandal that has escalated to the point of presidential intervention, Orda.kz reports.

Speaking at a government press conference, Kosherbayev unexpectedly referenced the Russian cult film Zhmurki.

One of the characters says, ‘If you see things heating up — back off.’ I also spoke with the Children’s Rights Commissioner, Dinara Zakiyeva, and she said, ‘We’re scheduled to meet with the Akim on the 24th to resolve this.’ In other words, all that was needed was proper communication and a calm resolution, he said.

Instead, the situation spiraled.

The Akim did not anticipate that attempting to remove the children would lead to such fallout. Of course, responsibility lies with the executive branch. This should never have been allowed to happen. The actions of certain officials clearly exceeded their authority,Kosherbayev noted. 

Still, Kosherbayev called for a more nuanced look at the issue:

These children were brought in from across the region. Funding and jurisdiction fall under the Almaty Region. As far as I know, those who were relocated to Qonayev weren’t part of the Baganashyl orphanage — they were from a different institution, a juvenile adaptation center,  he said.

Kosherbayev added that he hadn’t received complaints from the majority of children who were moved.

The deputy prime minister also responded to calls for the resignation of Almaty Region Akim Marat Sultangaziyev.

The situation surrounding the orphanage escalated on July 21, when some children physically blocked a bus from leaving. Police used force to clear the way, sparking public outrage.

Deputy Bakytzhan Bazarbek and activist Aruzhan Sain soon arrived on site.

Shortly thereafter, President Qasym-Jomart Toqayev personally intervened and ordered the relocation to be halted.

Original Author: Zhadra Zhulmukhametova