In Karachay-Cherkessia, 20 defendants file complaint against SIZO personnel

The office of the Ombudsman received 20 complaints from defendants, kept in the SIZO (pre-trial prison) No. 1 of the city of Cherkessk. The defendants reported that they were beaten by staff members of the SIZO. The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told by Oleg Dzamykhov, Senior Consultant to the Ombudsman, at present, investigation into the incident in conducted by the Investigatory Committee of Karachay-Cherkessia.

On February 7, at the SIZO of the city of Cherkessk, a group of defendants refused to obey to demands of the SIZO guards and caused riots. According to relatives of the defendants, after the riot, the SIZO guards broke into the wards and began to beat the prisoners, the portal "LifeNews" reports. It was also reported that three SIZO guards were injured as a results of the riot.

"Relatives of the prisoners appealed to the Ombudsman in the Karachay-Cherkessian Republic to complain about the actions of the SIZO guards, stating that they used special weapons against the defendants. The Ombudsman met the SIZO inmates, as a result, they filed 20 complaints," Oleg Dzamykhov said.

According to the source, "at present, the Investigatory Committee of Karachay-Cherkessia conducts investigations into the fact." "Only forensic examination can confirm or deny, whether the prisoners were injured or not," Oleg Dzamykhov has added.

The SIZO staff members refused to comment on the incident.