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The Investigative Committee of Armenia launched a criminal case into the abuse of a child in one of the kindergartens of Yerevan, the law enforcement agency said in a statement on Friday.

The case is opened under Article 119 of the Criminal Code (torture with a particular cruelty by motive of national, racial or religious hatred or religious fanaticism).

The child’s parent filed a police report on January 31, claiming that her daughter, born in 2016, was reputedly subjected to cruel treatment in the kindergarten she attended from 2019 to 2021 due to the nationality of her father, who is ethnic Pakistani.

Earlier on Thursday, Armenian Ombudsman Arman Tatoyan said that he was closely examining the issue. Employees of his office visited the kindergarten, where, according to investigators, the child suffered severe physical and mental suffering, held meetings with its administration and teachers.

In addition, discussions were held with the relevant department of the Yerevan City Hall. The ombudsman's office is also in constant contact with the girl's parents.