Case RUS 030308
Arbitrary detention/ Medical concerns/ Difficult conditions of detention/ Fear for safety
The International Secretariat of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) requests your URGENT intervention in the following situation in the Russian Federation.
Brief description of the situation
The International Secretariat of OMCT has been informed by a reliable source and by Antenna International, a member of OMCT SOS-Torture network, about the lack of adequate medical care and difficult conditions of detention of Mr. Vasily Aleksanyan, currently detained in the hospital #60 in Moscow.
Mr. Vasily Aleksanyan, former top executive at Yukos (former oil company), was reportedly arrested and detained in April 2006 on alleged fabricated charges of embezzlement and money laundering and remanded to prison at "Matrosskaya Tishina" prison in Moscow. He has reportedly developed severe medical conditions (a tumor of the liver, lymph nodes, convulsions and persistent fever) while in detention but, although his lawyers reportedly repeatedly requested for his transfer to a civil hospital, the judge rejected the appeal on the ground that it did not have sufficient reasons to believe he was sick. Mr. Vasily Aleksanayan was eventually transferred to hospital #60 on 8 February 2008, reportedly following a public campaign to support him, but without notice to his lawyers or his family. These latter found him after visiting several hospitals.
However, according to the same information received, Mr. Vasily Aleksanyan is not being appropriately medically treated for his tumour and further suffers from difficult conditions of detention in the hospital. Mr. Vasily Aleksanyan would be under tight surveillance, not allowed to go outside or to have family visits. Several members of the Public Chamber, who visited him, reported that Mr. Vasily Aleksanyan was chained to the bed by a one meter chain composed of several handcuffs. Moreover, the light is reportedly never on in the ward and the guards, who are always present, change their shifts at night, impeding Mr. Vasily Aleksany to have a proper sleep. He has further limited access to the shower and was reportedly only able to shower thrice since he has been transferred. According to Mr. Nikolay Svanidze, a member of the Public Chamber, a special commission on Mr. Vasily Aleksanyan's conditions in pre-trial detention has been launched.
The authorities had reportedly further extended Mr. Vasily Aleksany's pre-trial detention until March 2008 but the court procedures have been temporarily stopped because of his health conditions.
The International Secretariat of OMCT is gravely concerned for the physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Vasily Aleksanyan, in particular with the reported lack of appropriate medical treatment and difficult conditions of detention. OMCT is further concerned with regard to his arrest and detention at is seems to be politically motivated.
Action requested
Please write to the authorities in Russia urging them to:
i. Guarantee, in all circumstances, the physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Vasily Aleksanyan and guarantee any medical treatment he may require due to his health condition;
ii. Guarantee immediate and unconditional access to his lawyers and family;
iii. Order his immediate release in the absence of valid legal charges that are consistent with international law and standards, or if such charges exist, bring him before an impartial and competent tribunal and guarantee his procedural rights at all times;
iv. Ensure the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms throughout the country in accordance with national laws and international human rights standards.
Addresses
- Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev, President of the Russian Federation, Kremlin, Moscow, Russia, Faxes:+ 7 095 206 5173 / 230 2408, Email: president@gov.ru;
- Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Ustinov, 103793 g. Moskva K-31, Ul. B. Dimitrovka, d 15a, Russian Federation, Fax: + 7 095 292 88 48;
- Chairwoman of the Presidential Human Rights Commission of the Russian Federation, Ella Pamfilova, 103132 g. Moskva, Staraya ploshchad, d 8/5,pod 3, Russian Federation, Fax:+70952064855;
- Vladimir Lukin, Russian Federal Ombudsman for Human Rights, Fax: +7 495 207-53-37;
- Minister of Internal Affairs, Rashid Nurgaliev, ul. Zhitnaya, 16, 117049 Moscow, Russian Federation, Telegram: Rossiia, 117049, Moskva, Fax: + 7 095 237 49 25;
- Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sergey Lavrov, Smolenskaya-Sennaya pl, 32/34, 121200 Moscow, Russian Federation, Telegram: Fax:+ 7 095 244 2203;
- Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the United Nations in Geneva Av. de la Paix 15, CH-1211, Geneva 20, Switzerland, e-mail : mission.russian@ties.itu.int, fax: +4122 734 40 44;
- Embassy of the Russian Federation in Brussels, 31-33 boulevard du Regent, 1000 Brussels, Belgium, Fax: + 32 2 513 76 49.
Please also write to the diplomatic representations of Russia in your respective countries.
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Geneva, 03 March 2008
