A saga that lasted for years: Irena Shakirov of Tirat Carmel, who was convicted today (Monday) of child abuse, will serve 18 months in prison - minus her prison time (about 11 months).
Shakirov fled abroad in August 2018 and after many efforts led by her parents with attorney Roy Keren, who represents them and the state, she was arrested in Georgia and extradited to Israel in December 2022.
Shakirov pleaded guilty today in the Haifa District Court to six counts of abuse and assault she committed on toddlers in a kindergarten she owned and managed in 2017.
Shikurb pleaded guilty to six counts of abuse and assault. Illustration, photo: GettyImages
Ira, the mother of a toddler from the kindergarten who exposed the affair in 2017, said after the verdict: "We have been in hell since 2017 and feel that she received an award for escaping. She ruined our lives, hurt our children, didn't take responsibility and even fled the country. We were under a lot of pressure to agree to this plea bargain, and each time we were told that it might get less since there is no record of all the acts, but the case is based on our testimonies, and unfortunately we agreed. We're very incomplete with the deal and think it's a disgrace, but we're tired already."
Chen Kubritz Cohen, Director of the Struggle for Children: "Today's reality is far from what happened here in 2017, when Irena Shakirov committed the offenses she confessed to today. How is it possible that a conviction for six offenses of child abuse amounts to 18 months in prison? Should the Haifa State Prosecutor's Office and Judge Erez Porat, who is once again lenient with abusers, be reminded that there is stricter punishment for anyone who harms helpless people, and even a law has been passed on the subject? We regret that the prosecution chose to take the easy route of a plea bargain, at the end of which it will sit for only a few months, and not fight for justice for the sake of the children who were harmed through a full evidentiary process.
"Disappointed with the punishment that was imposed on her." Irena Shakirov, Photo: None
Attorney Roy Keren, who represents the parents: "I am disappointed with the punishment imposed on her after many efforts and resources invested by the parents, the state and I, to bring her to Israel. The punishment does not reflect her serious actions, especially since we are in a reality where there is stricter punishment in these cases, and in my opinion it would have been appropriate to bring the law to the fullest."
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