00:33, 9 January 2008

Chechnya: Chernokozovo inmates complain of tortures

Ruslan Kutaev, head of the International Committee for Northern Caucasus problems, has stated that the prisoners of Chernokozovo Colony No. 2 in Chechnya complain of beatings and tortures.

"A complaint signed by 124 inmates of the Chernokozovo Colony was sent to me, Russian Ombudsman, Public Prosecutor of Russia and President of the Chechen Republic," Mr Kutaev said.

According to his version, the complaint reports that healthy persons are kept together with HIV and TB patients, the inmates are provided with no underwear and bed linen, the "Echo Moskvy" Radio reports.

"After the quarantine, people have to look for beds, mattresses and blankets. The rank and file personnel of the colony apply tortures and beatings to the prisoners," the human rights activist asserts.

Ruslan Kutaev cannot exclude that "spontaneous unrests" can burst out in the colony.

The "Caucasian Knot" has already informed that in the beginning of 2007 similar problems at the Chernokozovo SIZO (Pre-Trial Detention Facility) were marked Nurdi Nukhazhiev, Ombudsman for Chechnya.