ECtHR recognizes rights violations of residents of Southern Russia

The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in Strasbourg has recognized the violation of the rights of seven residents of the Rostov Region and Kuban (Krasnodar Territory) in connection with torture, absence of efficient investigation and legislative protection against wiretapping, and awarded compensation to them worth from 6500 to 26,000 euros.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Evgeny Bunin, a resident of the Tuapse District, reported that on November 12, 2018, he was beaten up by law enforcers who demanded that he confess to a crime.

The ECtHR has considered several dozen claims from Russia. Most of them concern violations of the rights of convicts in colonies and during convoying. Claims of torture against detainees have also been considered, the "Kavkaz.Realii"* project has reported.

Evgeny Bunin claimed that law enforcers had exceeded their powers, but he was refused to initiate a case seven times, and in 2021 the Tuapse City Court rejected his complaint.

The 36-year-old Yuri Vakulenko from the Rostov Region received compensation of 6500 euros for being beaten up on May 15, 2021, by the FSB agents who suspected him of smuggling cigarettes. Vakulenko stated that he was hit with a stun gun.

Five other residents of the Rostov Region were awarded compensations for illegal wiretapping of their telephone conversations by law enforcers; all of them were arrested for various terms under administrative articles.

*Included by the Russian Ministry of Justice (MoJ) into the register of foreign agents.