Investigation has begun in Kalmykia into the beating of prisoners

Information is being received that prisoners at the correctional colony settlement OL 27/3 located in the village of Tsagan-Usn in Yashkul District of Kalmykia are allegedly regularly beaten by Federal Prison Service staff.



As reported on 16 January by Sobkor.ru with reference to information from public figure Valery Badmaev, the latest beating occurred during the New Year period. Following appeals by human rights defenders to the media and the prosecutor's office, supervisory authorities began an investigation.

According to Badmaev, he has repeatedly met with some 'settlers' outside the correctional institution. Practically all of them claim that the beating of prisoners by Federal Prison Service staff working at the colony is the norm.

Prisoners claim that this happens regularly and without any reason whatsoever. The latest such incident occurred in early 2009. Seven prisoners – Tseren Bambaev, Mingiyan Karteev, Sergei Okonov, Valery Manakov, Sergei Barkhaev, Yuri Ochirov and Anatoly Badmaev – were beaten by colony staff over several hours. As a result of the numerous injuries sustained, the 20-year-old Manakov was unable to move independently for more than a week. The other beaten prisoners are in the same condition.

From accounts by relatives, it became known that one of the beaten prisoners, in despair, slit his veins; another was preparing to commit suicide. An attempt was made at self-immolation. Currently, he is in the intensive care unit of Yashkul district hospital with numerous burns.

According to the public activist, the beating allegedly involved the colony's security service chief Mergen Azydov, his deputy Igor Gyunzikov and a number of subordinate colony staff. The beating was carried out on the street at a temperature of 20 degrees below zero, with the convicted prisoners forcibly undressed.

Relatives of the beaten prisoners filed complaints with the prosecutor's office and then travelled to the colony. They managed to secure meetings with the prisoners.

According to Valery Badmaev, he and an assistant to a State Duma deputy visited the site and attempted to speak with the colony settlement commander Mandzhiev and the investigator from Yashkul Investigative Office Goryaev. However, both officials refused to meet without explanation.

In the Kalmykia prosecutor's office, the fact of relatives' appeal was confirmed, with clarification that an investigation is underway on this matter. Based on its results, a decision will be made on whether to initiate or refuse to initiate criminal proceedings.

Ombudsperson for Human Rights in Kalmykia Vyacheslav Savis'ko stated his intention to investigate instances of violence against prisoners.