Spotlight: French-Russian tug of love

A very unusual case of criminal law, where young children are kidnapped by their own parents, has been making headlines recently. The story of Elise André, the three-year-old girl with dual French-Russian citizenship who has been kidnapped multiple times by her parents, is all over the front pages in Russia, France and Hungary. On Wednesday, April 15, a court in Hungary ruled that Elise's Russian mother, Irina, should be extradited to France. In the meantime, Elise has been taken back to Paris and is now with her French father Jean-Michel Andre. Does this mean that poor Elise has lost her mother? Or is there still a chance for a compromise? Well be discussing these questions with Andrey Knyazev, a well known Russian barrister.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• criminal
• law
• child
• kidnapping
• parents
• Elise
• André
• citizenship
• court
• Russia
• France
• Andrey
• Knyazev
• barrister

[furiasha]

The problems occure when one or both of the parents are ruthless idiots, like my compatriot Irina B. in this case. What can a child possibly learn from a mother that hires someone to beat up a father of her child, assuming that's true? I think also it is bloody decent on a part of her ex - husband to drop the charges against her. I know of some similar cases between the parents of different EU nationalities, it is usually resolved in favor of parent on who's territory the court takes place.

[furiasha]

The double citizenship is a birth right of the children with the parents of different nationalities, and it is not a travel commodity, but their identity. They have loyalty to both of their countries. When they grow up they will always vote for the governements that promote peace and collaboration, so, there is no conflict of loyalties. In fact, that is exactly what the modern world needs - some enlightened human beings with the broad understanding of different cultures.

[azergays]

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