Stavropol Territory: court refuses to open "Merekha case" for media

The Predgorny District Court of the Stavropol Territory has refused to make the trial of Vyacheslav Merekha, who became disabled as a result of supposed torture and rape at the Predgorny ROVD (District Interior Division) in December 2010.

Let us remind you that Vyacheslav Merekha, a resident of the farmstead of Kalaborka, who was in the state of intoxication, was detained at night on December 15, 2010, near his house by militiamen of the above ROVD and brought to a police station. There, as it became known later, he was exposed to psychological and physical pressure. The investigation of the criminal case against four former employees of the ROVD was completed on August 7. On August 13, the case went to the court, which runs the trial behind closed doors.

The judge has explained his decision to continue the trial in the closed mode by the fact that the public process would violate the rights of the accused ex-militiamen.

"I'd not like anyone to experience what I had; therefore, I decided to ask the court to hold a public trial," the "Interfax" quotes Mr Merekha as saying.

"Initially, no one interested in Vyacheslav's opinion. The court decided to reject the petition on the spot. It's strange that the prosecutor has supported the decision. We were told that 'the task of the court to protect the defendants' rights too.' But who will protect the victim's rights?" the "Civitas" quotes the lawyer Marina Dubrovina, who is representing, with support of the Fund "Public Verdict", Merekha's interests.

After the last court session on September 10, Natalia Spiridonova, a relative of Merekha, said that "the prosecutor is very sluggish in supporting the allegations." "The complaints against this 'support' of allegations by the employee of the Predgorny Prosecutor's Office had been submitted earlier; we are now waiting for their answer," she said.

The next session is scheduled for September 18.