Russia’s children's rights ombudsman Pavel Astakhov has reportedly resigned, the RBC news agency claimed Thursday, citing unnamed sources.
A public? petition? calling to oust the ombudsman has gathered more than 150,000 signatures since it was launched last week. Astakhov has long been known for his controversial statements concerning women and children, but sparked public anger recently when he asked young survivor of fatal boating accident, “how was your swim?”
Advisor to the ombudsman, Renat Abdeev, said that he could not confirm the information, claiming that Astakhov was ?€?currently attending an event at the Foreign Ministry together with the President.?€?
Kremlin?€™s spokesman Dmitry Peskov also told RBC that there were as yet no orders concerning Astakhov?€™s resignation.
Astakhov was appointed Russia?€™s children's rights ombudsman in 2009. He had previously ran a law firm with a number of high-ranking officials among its clients, and hosted the Russian television show Court Hour.