Balalaika Teacher in Yekaterinburg Arrested for Allegedly Attempting to Suffocate Students

A court in Yekaterinburg has placed a local music instructor into pre-trial detention following accusations that he attempted to suffocate children, as reported by the court’s press office on Friday.

Artyom Vaganov, a balalaika teacher at a nearby school, is alleged to have invited children aged between 10 and 15 to his home, where he reportedly offered them money to allow him to cover their heads with plastic bags, claiming it was a breathing exercise.

The investigation was initiated after a video surfaced, allegedly showing Vaganov with a bag over the head of one child, according to local news outlet E1. Reports suggest that some of these sessions could have lasted up to 30 minutes.

A representative from the school mentioned to reporters that Vaganov had «voluntarily resigned» and that the institution was fully cooperating with the investigative authorities.

The Leninsky District Court has ordered Vaganov to remain in pre-trial detention until January 19. This decision will come into effect within three days unless a challenge is filed.

He is facing a potential life sentence if convicted of attempting to murder minors. The reasons behind his actions are currently unknown, and E1 noted that they had been unable to contact him via phone.

Several students have also come forward with allegations of other inappropriate behavior by Vaganov, including an incident where he reportedly touched a child inappropriately under the guise of treating a cold.

Additionally, E1 reported that Vaganov utilized a social media alias associated with a serial killer from the Soviet era who preyed on boys.