Convicted pensioner Baragunova complains about her rights violation at SIZO

Larisa Baragunova, a pensioner from the city of Tyrnyauz, convicted for attacking law enforcers, has complained that the administration of the SIZO (pre-trial prison) bans her from call home, and her cellmates put pressure on her.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that on September 3, 2024, the court found Baragunova guilty of attacking law enforcers and sentenced her to three years in jail. She stated that her prosecution had to do with her activities in the organization “Soyuz SSR Trade Union”*, and demanded to acquit her.

According to Baragunova, who has been held at the SIZO since March 13, 2023, her rights are restricted. In particular, she is not allowed to make phone calls, citing the need to obtain permission from the Supreme Court (SC) of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic (KBR), where her appeal complaint is under consideration.

Besides, her cellmates are harassing her and insult her human dignity.

Oleg Sergeev, a lawyer, has explained that, according to the law, SIZO inmates have the right to telephone calls under the administration’s supervision.

Let us remind you that Baragunova had defended the interests of trade union members in court disputes over utility claims; she wrote complaints to law enforcement bodies, defending trade unionists’ interests, and also ran social networks in which she criticized local authorities.

*First public organizations denying the collapse of the USSR appeared back in 1995. According to the Russian FSB, the movement had 150,000 followers in 2018. In 2019, the Supreme Court of the Komi Republic recognized the Union of Rus' Slavic Forces (one of the group of movements that also includes “USSR Citizens”) as an extremist organization.