Dagestani native complains about absence of prayer room for Muslims in penitentiary colony in Novosibirsk Region

Administration of the penitentiary colony IK-14 of the Novosibirsk Region, where Asadula Kaptarov is serving his sentence, prevents fulfilment of religious precepts and seizes religious literature. This was stated by a grandmother of the sentenced man. Officials of the IK have explained that prisoners did not request to open space for prayers.

On October 21, Patimat Gasanalieva, a resident of Makhachkala, appealed to the Dagestani Regional Public Organization (DRPO) "Pravozaschita" (Advocacy) with a complaint about violation of the rights of her grandson and other Muslims serving their sentences at the IK-14 of the Novosibirsk Region. Patimat Gasanalieva asks the human rights organization to assist by contacting the appropriate authorities with a request to allocate space for prayers at the IK-14.

Officials from the very IK-14 have confirmed to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that the penitentiary colony has no prayer room for Muslims; however, according to the source, "none of the prisoners did not request in writing to open it."

In accordance with the Code of Criminal Procedure of the Russian Federation, the prisoners are guaranteed of freedom of conscience and freedom of religion. This was noted by Ruslan Magomedov, an advocate of the Dagestani Bar Association. Besides, according to the advocate, penitentiary institutions allow prisoners to administer religious rites, use sacred objects and religious literature.

Rights of natives of the republic of Northern Caucasus are violated in penitentiary institutions, and prisoners often become victims of hatred on ethnic and religious grounds. This was stated by human rights defenders who took part in the roundtable, held on March 22 in Moscow.