ECtHR awards compensation to residents of Southern Russia for torture

The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) examined the complaints filed by residents of Chechnya, Dagestan, and Astrakhan, convicted in Russia on the basis of testimonies obtained under torture, and awarded them compensation. The decision was made against the backdrop of the Russia’s refusal to comply with the decisions of the ECtHR.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that on September 28, the Strasbourg court recognized a violation of articles of the European Convention on Human Rights on the prohibition of torture and the right to a fair trial in relation to Lechi Gadamauiri, a native of Ingushetia, who was sentenced to 19 years of imprisonment in the case on the “Ordzhonikidze jamaat”.

In the case of “Ivanov and others v. Russia”, the European Court of Human Rights awarded compensation to complainants from Southern Russia.

Ali Umarov, a resident of Makhachkala, complained about torture and coercion to confess to involvement in the ranks of Syrian militants. While being kept in a SIZO (pre-trial prison), the man complained about the kidnapping and retracted his confession, given under pressure. However, Ali Umarov failed in seeking of institution of a criminal case against the law enforcers. He was convicted of terrorism and sentenced to 8.5 years of imprisonment. The ECHR obliged the authorities of Russia to pay Ali Umarov the compensation in the amount of 26,000 euros.

The same compensation was awarded to Khasan Islamov, a resident of Chechnya, who was forced by law enforcers under torture to confess to organizing an illegal armed formation (IAF). The court sentenced him to 6.5 years of imprisonment, ignoring the complaints filed by Khasan Islamov about torture and the statements that he was not guilty.

Alexander Ivanov, a resident of Astrakhan, complained about the use of force by the police during his detention, as well as coercion to give evidence, on the basis of which he was found guilty of drug trafficking and sentenced to nine years of imprisonment. The ECtHR indicated that the Alexander Ivanov’s testimony was used as evidence for his conviction and awarded him compensation in the amount of 12,500 euros.