Russians March Against Foreign Adoptions
Thousands of people have marched in Moscow to call on authorities to ban all foreign adoptions and demand the return of an adopted boy whose brother died in Texas.
The rally comes one day after a determination by Texas authorities that the death of Russian-born toddler Max Shatto was accidental.
Russian officials have stoked speculation that Shatto, born Maksim Kuzmin, was the victim of foul play.
Many Russians have cited the case as they dismiss criticism of Moscow’s politically charged ban on U.S. adoptions, which was a response to U.S. legislation punishing Russia for perceived rights abuses in the Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act.
Max’s biological half-brother, Kristopher, remains with his adoptive U.S. family.