Beating to death_Fear of lack of an effective investigation

The International Secretariat of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) requests your URGENT intervention in the following situation in the Russian Federation.

Brief description of the situation

The International Secretariat of OMCT has been informed by the Russian-Chechen Friendship Society (RCFS), a member of OMCT SOS-Torture Network, of the death under unclear circumstances of 20-year-old Mr. Anton Stradymov, an activist involved with the banned National Bolshevik Party[1], on 14 January 2009, in Moscow.

According to the information received, Mr. Anton Stradymov was found in a critical condition near the Vykhino metro station in Moscow on 14 January 2009 and brought to hospital where he later died. His body was reportedly covered with blows; in particular his face was crashed, impeding a prompt identification. According to the same information, his belongings had not been stolen.

Mr. Anton Stradymov had reportedly taken part in a number of opposition demonstrations, including in the Marches of Dissent organised by “The Other Russia” coalition[2].

The International Secretariat of OMCT is very much concerned about the death of Mr. Anton Stradymov, fearing it may have been politically motivated. OMCT had already documented the cases of Mr. Yura Chervochkin, a Parliamentary candidate list of “The Other Russia” and member of the banned National Bolshevik Party, who had been beaten up to death by alleged members of UBOP, a special detachment to combat organised crime, in Serpukhov town (Moscow region) in December 2007 (See OMCT UA RUS 141207) as well as the case of Mr. Artyom Basyrov, also member of the banned National Bolshevik Party and "The Other Russia", who had been forced to psychiatric internment in November 2007 (see OMCT UA RUS 121207).

OMCT is further concerned that the investigation reportedly launched might not be impartial and thorough and therefore alls on the authorities to order a prompt, thorough, impartial and independent investigation into the circumstances of his death, as provided in the Principles on the Effective Prevention and Investigation of Extra-legal, Arbitrary and Summary Executions, in order to identify those responsible, bring them to trial and apply the penal and/or administrative sanctions as provided by law.

Action requested

Please write to the authorities of the Russian Federation urging them to:

1. Order a prompt, thorough, impartial and independent investigation into the death of Mr. Anton Stradymov, in order to identify all those responsible, bring them to trial and apply the civil, penal and/or administrative sanctions as provided by law;
2. Guarantee adequate reparation to the victim’s family;
3. Guarantee the respect of human rights and the fundamental freedoms throughout the country in accordance with national laws and international human rights standards.

Addresses

• Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev, President of the Russian Federation, Kremlin, Moscow, Russia, Faxes:+ 7 495 206 5173 / 230 2408, Email: president@gov.ru;
• Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation, Yuri Chayka, 125993, Moskva K-31, Ul. B. Dimitrovka, d 15a, Russian Federation, Fax: + 7 (495)692-17-25;
• Chairwoman of the Presidential Human Rights Commission of the Russian Federation, Ella Pamfilova, 103132 g. Moskva, Staraya ploshchad, d 8/5,pod 3, Russian Federation, Fax: +7 495 20 64 855;
• Vladimir Lukin, Russian Federal Ombudsman for Human Rights, Fax: +7 495 207-74-70;
• Minister of Internal Affairs, Rashid Nurgaliev, ul. Zhitnaya, 16, 117049 Moscow, Russian Federation, Telegram: Rossiia, 117049, Moskva, Fax: + 7 495 237 49 25;
• Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sergey Lavrov, Smolenskaya-Sennaya pl, 32/34, 121200 Moscow, Russian Federation, Telegram: Fax:+ 7 495 230 21 30;
• Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the United Nations in Geneva Av. de la Paix 15, CH-1211, Geneva 20, Switzerland, e-mail : mission.russian@ties.itu.int, fax: +4122 734 40 44;

Please also write to the diplomatic representations of the Russian Federation in your respective countries.

Geneva, 21 January 2009

Kindly inform OMCT of any action undertaken quoting the code number of this appeal in your reply.

[1] The National Bolshevik party is known best for its anti-Kremlin street demonstrations. The party has been banned repeatedly by authorities, and a number of its members are currently behind bars.

[2] Also see OMCT press release issued on 291107.