A 38-year-old male teacher of a Chisinau lyceum was sentenced to seven years behind bars for perverse actions against students by the ordinary court of law. An investigation was started at the end of September 2016 after parents notified the lyceum’s administration of the class master’s indecent conduct, IPN reports.

According to the Prosecutor General’s Office, when being questioned in special conditions, the minors confirmed that the teacher resorted to abusive actions. Nine minor students who suffered as a result of the abusive actions appear as injured parties.

The sentence can be challenged in the Appeals Court.

A study conducted by the Prosecutor General’s Office shows a larger number of sex crimes against children was recorded in 2018. As many as 373 criminal cases over sexual abuse were started last year, as opposed to 332 cases in 2017. In 58 cases, the children were abused in the family.