Document - Russian Federation: Torture/ill-treatment/health concern: Zubair Isaevich Zubairaev (m)
PUBLIC AI Index: EUR 46/031/2008
12 December 2008
UA 342/08 Torture/ill-treatment/health concern
RUSSIAN FEDERATION Zubair Isaevich Zubairaev (m), aged about 30
Zubair Isaevich Zubairaev, a Chechen imprisoned in Volgograd, southern Russia, is believed to have been tortured. He has not received adequate medical care, even though he is in a prison hospital, and remains at risk of torture or other ill-treatment.
In August 2007 Zubair Zubairaev was sentenced to five years in a high security prison and sent to prison colony IAR-154/25 in Frolovo, Volgograd region. According to sources close to Zubair Zubairaev, he was tortured and otherwise ill-treated by prison colony officers throughout the period he was held there. This included the use of electric shocks. He was also repeatedly beaten with plastic bottles filled with water, as well as with truncheons and rifle butts, until he fainted, after which guards revived him in order to continue the beatings. No medical help was provided and the injuries he received were not recorded.
After making several complaints regarding the torture and ill-treatment, Zubair Zubairaev was transferred to prison colony No 9 in Volgograd. In February 2008 he was admitted to prison hospital LIU-15 in Volgograd, where he is still being held. However, sources close to him report that the beatings and other torture and ill-treatment from the prison officers continued. Amnesty International was informed by someone who saw Zubair Zubairaev recently that he has a fresh scar on his forehead, believed to be from a kick to the head in October. The same person reported that there were signs ofinjuries on Zubair Zubairaev's arms and legs, possibly as a result of beatings. Zubair Zubairaev had difficulty walking, as his feet had been pierced through with a sharp metal instrument.
Zubair Zubairaev complained again about the torture and ill-treatment to the authorities. However, Amnesty International has learnt that this resulted in an inspection of the prison hospital in October by the Volgograd regional prosecutor, which, however, found no fault with the prison authorities.
Zubair Zubairaev is not receiving adequate medical care, and medication which was sent to him by his relatives has not been passed on to him. According to recent reports, he has been diagnosed with tuberculosis and is due to be transferred to a special ward. However, Amnesty International remains concerned that he may not receive adequate medical care; and he could still be tortured or otherwise ill-treated by prison guards at any time.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Amnesty International regularly receives reports of torture or other ill-treatment in places of detention across the Russian Federation, including in prison colonies, and of the frequent failure of the authorities to investigate such allegations and to bring those found responsible to justice. In February 2007, the UN Committee against Torture expressed its concern regarding the inadequate health care provided to people in pre-trial detention centres and prison colonies.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in Russian, English or your own language:
- expressing concern at reports that Zurab Zubairaev has been tortured and ill-treated by prison officers;
- urging the Russian authorities to immediately, thoroughly, independently and impartially investigate these reports, and bring those found responsible to justice;
-expressing concern at reports that Zubair Zubairaev is not receiving the medical treatment he needs;
-urging that Zubair Zuibairaev is examined by independent doctors and receives all necessary medical care, in accordance with provisions set out in the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners.
APPEALS TO:
Minister of Justice of the Russian Federation
Alexander Vladimirovich Konovalov
Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation
Ul. Zhitnaia 14
119 991 Moscow GSP1
Russian Federation
Fax: + 7 495 955 57 79
Salutation: Dear Minister
Yurii Yakovlevich Chaika
Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation
Office of the Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation
Ul. Bolshaia Dmitrovka 15a
125 993 Moscow
Russian Federation
Fax: +7 495 692 1725 (fax may be switched off outside of office hours (four hours ahead of GMT)
COPIES TO:
Vladimir Petrovich Lukin
Ombudsperson for Human Rights of the Russian Federation
Miasnitskaia ul. 47
107084 Moscow
Russian Federation
Fax: + 7 495 607 39 77 (You may hear a Russian answering machine; please wait for the beep before sending your fax). You can call +7 495 607-18-54 (registry) to check if the fax went through
Yurii Ivanovich Kalinin
Director of the Federal Service for Execution of Sentences
Federal Service for Execution of Sentences
Ul. Zhitnaia, 14
119991 GSP-1, Moscow
Russian Federation
Fax: +7 495 982 1930
Leonid Leontievich Beliak
Prosecutor of Volgograd region
Pr.Lenina, 8
400066 Volgograd
Russian Federation
Email: pochtaproc@vlpost.ru
and to diplomatic representatives of Russian Federation accredited to your country.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 23 January 2009.