27 children rescued from underground bunker in Russia
The last 48 hours has seen the dismantling of an Islamic sect’s underground bunker. Twenty-seven children and more than 30 adults were removed from the building.
CNN reports that the bunker was discovered during an August 1 investigation into militant groups in the Tatarstan region of western Russia.
Faizrakhman Satarov, 83, is the leader of the Islamic sect that inhabited the bunker. In 1964, Satarov declared himself a prophet. He then purchased land and, with the help of his followers, built the underground bunker.
The sect retreated into the bunker nearly one decade ago and the children born underground had not seen sunlight until last week.
According to ABC News, prosecutors in Russia have charged adult members of the sect with child abuse. Satarov was charged with negligence. The Tatarstan police say that the illegally built structure will be demolished.
The Moscow Times reports that the children will remain in an orphanage until they can be returned either to their parents or placed with new families.
