ECtHR awards Dagestani resident compensation for his complaint against law enforcers

The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) approved the settlement agreement between the Russian authorities and Taigib Zalbegov, a resident of Dagestan, who filed a complaint against law enforcers. The Strasbourg Court obliged the Russian authorities to pay to the complainant 10,000 euros of compensation provided for by the above settlement agreement.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on May 24, 2018, lawyers of the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial" sent the Taigib Zalbegov's complaint to the ECtHR. According to Taigib Zalbegov, at night on November 1, 2016, law enforcers checked his ID near his house, then forced him into a police service car, locked him in it, and searched his own car. When he filmed on video what was happening, they handcuffed and severely beat him. Investigators have repeatedly refused to institute criminal proceedings against the law enforcers.

The ECtHR considered the complaint of Taigib Zalbegov together with eight other similar complaints filed by Russian citizens, within the case of "Dolinin and Others vs. Russia". Even before the consideration of the case at the Strasbourg Court, the Russian authorities concluded settlement agreements with all the victims. The ECtHR approved them. Each victim was awarded compensation of 5000-20,000 euros, and Taigib Zalbegov was awarded 10,000 euros.

"In cases of the use of violence by the police, the HRC 'Memorial' recommends the Russian authorities not only to pay compensation to the complainants, but also take systemic measures to combat those crimes," the HRC "Memorial" has posted today on its website a comment on the ECtHR's decision.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on June 27, 2019 at 04:54 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.