Russia probes ‘gagged’ babies

RUSSIAN prosecutors are investigating allegations that hospital staff in Yekaterinburg gagged babies because they did not want to hear them crying.

The case only came to light because a patient at the hospital happened to hear the muffled cries of the children, who are all orphans. She used her mobile phone to film the babies lying in their cots with their mouths covered with tape.The case has caused widespread shock in Russia with widespread media coverage.The patient says she approached the nurse in the ward and was initially told to mind her own business but eventually succeeded in getting the gags removed.The nurse no longer works at the hospital and prosecutors have opened a criminal case.It is alleged the babies were silenced because there were too few staff to deal with them.Russians are used to scandals in the hospital here but this case has touched a raw nerve.Prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation, and say they have discovered that sticking plaster was used more than once.BBCShe used her mobile phone to film the babies lying in their cots with their mouths covered with tape.The case has caused widespread shock in Russia with widespread media coverage.The patient says she approached the nurse in the ward and was initially told to mind her own business but eventually succeeded in getting the gags removed.The nurse no longer works at the hospital and prosecutors have opened a criminal case.It is alleged the babies were silenced because there were too few staff to deal with them.Russians are used to scandals in the hospital here but this case has touched a raw nerve.Prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation, and say they have discovered that sticking plaster was used more than once.BBC