Tortures are used to prisoners in Sochi investigation ward

On August 12 a press-conference was held at the Institute of Press Development. The theme of the press-conference was "Russian Epidemic of Tortures. Now in Sochi Investigation Ward". Moscow Helsinki Group Chairwoman Lyudmila Alekseyeva, Metropolitan Bar Chairman Georgy Zubovsky, Lawyer Alexander Boychenko (town of Sochi) participated.

The press-conference was caused by the situation arisen in the Sochi investigation ward.

On July 27, 2003 withindoors of the Khostinsky Regional Interior Department (RID) militiamen beat Alexander Shvets and Tomaz Tsatsoria, who were being hold in the Sochi investigation ward as suspects in the case on the death of Kesheshyan, an inspector of the Khostinsky RID. The purpose of beating was giving false evidence.

In spite of lawyers' demands, doctors are not admitted to the suspects for rendering medical care and examining for beatings. Moreover, Lawyer Boychenko is not allowed to familiarize himself with case papers, is forbidden to meet his client Tsatsaria.

Giving comments on the situation Georgy Zubovsky called that what was happening in the Sochi investigation ward the breaking of the law from the direction of militiamen and despotism, which should be stopped as soon as possible.

Lyudmila Alekseyeva underlined that the cases of tortures in the militia are not single incidents; it is an obvious and alarming tendency existing in all Russia's regions. That what is happening in Sochi is an additional proof of it.

Press-conference participants called for media representatives to cover things happening in the Sochi investigation ward in order to help stop tortures of prisoners, including innocent citizens.