The Governor of the Belgorod Region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, proposed the idea of banning access to state universities and technical schools for minors who commit illegal actions against servicemen or criticize the actions of the state within the framework of the "special military operation" in Ukraine. The proposal was discussed during a meeting of the regional government.
"We must protect children, the constitutional order, the region and the country. "If a child commits illegal acts, such as sabotage or spreading false information, we should discuss the possibility of preventing him from studying at state universities and technical schools," Gladkov said.
Gladkov expressed concern about young people who are involved in cases related to sabotage and spreading "fake news". According to him, such actions lead to serious sentences and ruin the lives of these young people. "Some think that this is just a game, but everything ends in tragedy," he added.
Instead of state universities, Gladkov suggested that minors criticizing the authorities should go to private educational institutions. He also noted that currently the children of "veterans of the special military operation" benefit from quotas and preferences for admission to state universities.
The idea has sparked public debate and raised questions about freedom of expression and access to education in Russia. The proposal comes in the context of a growing number of cases of prosecutions against people involved in criticism of state policies or the war in Ukraine.