In Moscow, picket in defence of Chechen resident Zubair Zubairaev held near FSIN building

On October 13, a picket was held in front of the building of the Federal Penitentiary Service (known as FSIN) in Moscow. Protesters demanded to bring to justice the FSIN officers allegedly involved in beating prisoner Zubair Zubairaev.

The picket near the FSIN building was attended by 10 people. According to organizers of the protest action, they tried to draw public attention to the problem of maltreatment of prisoners by the FSIN personnel.

The organizers had no official permission for conducting the picket, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told by Tatiana Monakhova, a rights defender.

According to her, the picket was positioned as a single one, that is, no permission for its conducting was required. Therefore, only one person with the poster "Freedom to seriously ill Zubairaev" stood near the FSIN building, the other picketers stood aside.

According to the human rights activists, after the start of the picket the protesters were approached by the FSIN representatives who asked about a ground for the action.

"We were approached and asked on what ground we hold a picket, and we were asked to leave the place. We stated that we are acting under Article 7 of the Law "On assemblies, meetings, demonstrations, processions and pickets". After that, the FSIN officers left the place," says Tatiana Monakhova.

The rights defender says that she twice submitted the necessary documents for the rally in support of Chechen prisoner and both times, she got refusals.

To her regret, people passing by did not notice a single person with a poster in his hands. Nevertheless, human rights activists managed to distribute all leaflets in support of Zubairaev.

In their leaflets, the authors insist on early release of Zubairaev for health reasons.

Malika Zubairaeva, a sister of the prisoner, came to the picket. She told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that she communicates with her brother with the help of the lawyer.

"He is constantly beaten, mocked, tortured. All our complaints cost him a new torture. His lawyer brings him to the visit room. My brother lies flat, does not get up at all. He did not wash himself for more than a year, nobody takes care of him. All official personnel shift the blame for beating to other shoulders: warders point at guards, guards - at doctors, nothing is clear," says Malika.

She hopes that the picket will help to draw attention to the problems of Zubair Zubairaev. The woman said that she was constantly under stress. She has already filed complaints to the Investigatory Committee; however, she received no response yet.

The rights defender Tatiana Monakhova invited all who wish to come to the Independent Press Centre in Moscow to visit a press conference on actions to defend the rights of Zubairaev. It is planned to be held on October 17 or 18. In the near future, the human rights activist intends to contact Natalia Yakovleva, the head of the Centre, to appoint the date of the event.

The leadership of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia has not commented on the statement of the initiative group of citizens in support Zubairaev, the response to the picket is also unavailable.