The Russian Investigative Committee is asking the U.S. attorney general to verify reports of alleged violations of the rights of 26 Russian orphans adopted by American families.
The committee spokesman said on November 26 the request was based on recent reports by Western media that have sparked public outcry both in the United States and in Russia.
The Russian Foreign Ministry and Russian Children's Rights Ombudsman Pavel Astakhov made the probe request.
Moscow banned adoption of its orphans by American families as of January 1, 2013.
The move was seen as a reaction to a U.S. law known as the Magnitsky Act, which put sanctions on Russian officials linked to the death of whistle-blowing lawyer Sergei Magnitsky in a Moscow prison and other alleged human rights abuses.
The committee spokesman said on November 26 the request was based on recent reports by Western media that have sparked public outcry both in the United States and in Russia.
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The Russian Foreign Ministry and Russian Children's Rights Ombudsman Pavel Astakhov made the probe request.
Moscow banned adoption of its orphans by American families as of January 1, 2013.
The move was seen as a reaction to a U.S. law known as the Magnitsky Act, which put sanctions on Russian officials linked to the death of whistle-blowing lawyer Sergei Magnitsky in a Moscow prison and other alleged human rights abuses.
