PUBLIC AI Index: EUR 46/006/2009

03 March 2009

Further Information on 342/08 (EUR 46/031/2008, 12 December 2008) and follow-up (EUR 46/005/2009, 10 February 2009) - Torture/ill-treatment/health concern/non-provision of medical care/intimidation/harassment

RUSSIAN FEDERATION Zubair Isaevich Zubairaev (m), aged about 30

Zubair Zubairaev has again reportedly been severely beaten on both 18 and 24 February. On a recent visit to the prison his lawyer saw the marks from the beatings on his face and has stated that Zubair Zubairaev’s health has been gravely affected. Wounds on his legs from previous alleged beatings and incidents of torture are not healing and are festering. He is not receiving adequate medical care. After the most recent incidents he was placed in an isolation cell as punishment for allegedly possessing a painkilling tablet.

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. The sources reported that 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 about being tortured and ill-treated, Zubair Zubairaev was transferred to prison colony No 9 in Volgograd. In February 2008 he was admitted to prison hospital LIU-15 in Volgograd; however,the beatings and other ill-treatment from the prison officers continued. Zubair Zubairaev complained again about his treatment to the authorities. This resulted in an inspection of the prison hospital in October 2008 by the Volgograd regional prosecutor, which, however, found no fault with the prison authorities.

Officials at the prison, as well as an official from the Volgograd Public Prosecutor’s office, are said to have verbally threatened Zubair Zubairaev that if he does not stop complaining about his treatment in detention, his prison sentence will be extended or he might "accidentally" die in prison. They also made threats against his family, saying "something might happen" to his sisters.

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 effectively such allegations and to bring those suspected of violations 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:

- calling on prison authorities to ensure immediately that Zubair Zubairaev is not subjected to torture or other ill-treatment, including psychological;

- calling for an immediate, thorough, independent and impartial investigation into the allegations of torture or other ill-treatment and threats against Zubair Zubairaev and his family, with the results made public and those found responsible brought to justice;

- expressing concern at reports that Zubair Zubairaev is still 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:

Mansvetov Andrei Igorevich

Director of the prison colony IAR-154/15

Uchrezhdenie IAR-154/15

400048 Volgograd

Russian Federation

Fax: +7 8442 35 57 00

Salutation: Dear Director

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

Salutation: Dear Director

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)

Salutation: Dear Prosecutor General

COPIES TO:

Vladimir Petrovich Lukin

Ombudsperson for Human Rights of the Russian Federation

Miasnitskaia ul. 47

107084 Moscow

Russian Federation

Fax: +7 495 60739 77

Salutation: Dear Ombudsperson

Leonid Leontievich Beliak

Prosecutor of Volgograd region

Pr.Lenina, 8

400066 Volgograd

Russian Federation

Email: pochtaproc@vlpost.ru

Salutation: Dear Prosecutor

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 14 April.