Rostov/Agency Caucasus – The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) has concluded after its examinations in North Caucasus that the conditions of detention have improved.
The conclusion that the conditions have improved came from the Committee after its chief members, Mauro Palma, Trever Siemens and Eric Svandidze, first examined the prisons in Kabardino-Balkaria and Ingushetia and then consulted the views of both detainees and their lawyers. The committee members also met with Grigori Rapota, Special Representative of Southern Federal Regions of the Russian Federation. Rapota said that the committee made valuable suggestions to be taken into consideration in application. Mutual cooperation made the main contribution to the improvement of the conditions in prisons, added Rapota.
The Nalchik prison received frequent attention from the media after the 13 October 2005 incidents led to the torturing of prisoners. Last time the Nalchik prison received media coverage was when Larisa Dorogova, the female lawyer of the young detainees, was illegally denied entry into the prison, although she merely wanted to see her client and talk to him about the future course of negotiations to be followed as his trial proceeded. Also, Dorogova received a letter that had in it a bullet. The letter was obviously meant to be a threat of death.
It remains, however, unknown whether the Chechen prisons received discussion during the committee meetings.
KU/ÖZ/FT
