Resident of Stavropol Territory convicted of taking part in IS* complains of torture

A resident of the Stavropol Territory, convicted of participating in the "Islamic State" (IS)*, has stated that he had confessed under torture.

According to the case materials, the 50-year-old Vasily Antonov joined the IS*, in a colony, where he was serving his term for illegal spreading pornography, including child pornography.

Antonov was sentenced to 15 years in jail; and for his participation in the IS*, the Southern District Military Court sentenced him to 12 years in prison. Antonov has appealed this sentence to the Supreme Court (SC) of Russia.

Antonov has stated that he had confessed to law enforcers under torture; and he also provided the court with the medical documents confirming his traumas. According to his story, some of the charges against him are based on the testimony of a prisoner who suffers from drug addiction and is dependent on the administration of the correctional facility, says the website of the Russia's SC.

The SC has declared Antonov's testimony that he was allegedly beaten by other inmates to be untenable. As a result, the SC has upheld the sentence of the Southern District Military Court.

*On December 29, 2014, the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation recognized the organization "Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant" (ISIL or IS) as a terrorist international organization and banned its activities in Russia.