Komi militia partially recognizes bad custody conditions of Armenian citizen

The militia of the capital of Komi has partially recognized bad custody conditions of Ashot Kirakosyan, a citizen of Armenia, in special detention facility of Syktyvkar UVD, where he had spent 4.5 pending extradition out of Russia for breaking migratory rules.

This was reported to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent by Ernest Mezak, a member of the board of the Komi Human Rights Commissions (KHRC) "Memorial", who is rendering legal aid to Mr Kirakosyan.

On December 5, the Syktyvkar City Court started consideration of Ashot Kirakosyan's complaint against the actions of local militia.

The citizen of Armenia complains in his claim to the court against his long stay in the special detention facility for administrative detainees, overcrowded cells, scanty two meals a day, bad supply with bed accessories, the toilet not fenced off from an inhabited part of the cell, long absence of walks outdoor, absence of television and radio receivers, control of personal correspondence, absence of appointments with relatives, and joint custody with administratively arrested persons.

In answer to Kirakosyan's claims, officials of law-enforcement bodies have recognized that indeed for some time he had not been given bed clothes because of poor financial condition of this establishment.

Some of the facts as stated in the application of the former prisoner were refuted by militiamen. Thus, they asserted that there was a radio set in the cell, and he was given chances to see his relatives.

"However, on the majority of claims the position of the respondents was that there are no rules for keeping migrants in temporary isolators in Russia. And the opinion of the European Committee against Torture is just a recommendation," Ernest Mezak has added.

He finds Kirakosyan's case to be very important: for the first time a court of the Komi Republic is finding out to what extent the local special detention facilities meet the standards of the Council of Europe.