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Kidnapped
It's May 27th 2009; a gray car stops in front of the Cavalje school in Ede (The Netherlands). There are 2 passengers in the car: an unknown Israeli man and also a complete stranger to Katya, her father's sixth wife. As usual Katya is playing with her classmates during the morning break...
Read more about Katya's kidnapping...
Katya has to go back
You hear it so often: “Come on, she’s with her father instead of her mother now; he can also take good care of her, right? Why is everyone getting worked up about this particular case? It’s just one more in a long line of nasty custody disputes!” On the contrary, it is essential that people know that Paul Leendertz is not the person he makes himself out to be.…
Read more about the true story of Katya...
Positive news!
The judge in Arnhem, the Netherlands, has given Marina Karpenko sole custody over Katya.
This means that the Dutch court does not acknowledge the decision of the US judge to grant custody to her father.The judge clearly states that Katya's home has been in the Netherlands were her mother took care of her, and there is no indication whatsoever about any problems concerning Katya's health, welbeing or performances on school.
...and the US judge decided that Katya must return to the Netherlands
This is the outcome of the return-procedure based on the The Hague Child Abduction Convention. The aim of the convention is to secure the immediate return of abducted children to the original country they were taken from. Although the US judge clearly stated that taking Katya was illegal and Katya should return to her mother, a motion to stay was granted meaning that Katya has to stay in the USA until the appeal. The foundation is confident that a positive verdict will follow within 4 months.
Unfortunately there has not been any contact between Katya and her mother for a very long time.
Financial situation
Because of this appeal the foundation has been faced with high unforeseen costs. Despite many donations and big offering there still is not enough money. There is a good convention, which protects a child from being abducted unrightfully from its living environment; the judge has decided in accordance with this convention that Katya has to return to the Netherlands. Now the next steps should follow. Stopping the process would mean that the child will be outlawed and we would silently agree with these sorts of actions?!
Can we please appeal to you to support us in this battle by donating?