Beating to death of Mr. Yura Chervochkin

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 a reliable source of the beating leading to the death of 22-year-old Mr. Yura Chervochkin by alleged members of UBOP, a special detachment to combat organised crime, on 23 November 2007 in Serpukhov, Moscow oblast.

According to the information received, on 23 November 2007, Mr. Yura Chervochkin was violently beaten by alleged members of UBOP. He was reportedly found unconscious near the entranceway of the building where he lives. He later died on 10 December 2007 in the Burdenko Research Institute, clinic where he was hospitalised in a comatose state.

Mr. Yura Chervochkin was on the Parliamentary candidate list of “The Other Russia”, opposition coalition, for Moscow Oblast. He had reportedly called the office of kasparov.ru webpage an hour before he was found informing that four servicemen of UBOP were allegedly following him and that he had recognised them from previous encountered.

According to the information, an investigation was launched into the assault only after Mr. Yura Chervochkin had died. However, his mother was reportedly repeatedly turned away and was told that no suspects had been apprehended.

The international Secretariat of OMCT is very much concerned about the beating leading to the death of Mr. Yura Chervochkin by alleged members of the UBOP. OMCT is further concerned that the investigation reportedly launched might not be impartial and thorough.

Action requested

Please write to the authorities in Russia urging them to:

1. Order a prompt, thorough and impartial investigation into the beating leading to the death of Mr. Yura Chervochkin, 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

• Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, President of the Russian Federation, Kremlin, Moscow, Russia, Faxes:+ 7 095 206 5173 / 230 2408, Email: president@gov.ru;
• Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Ustinov, 103793 g. Moskva K-31, Ul. B. Dimitrovka, d 15a, Russian Federation, Fax: + 7 095 292 88 48;
• 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:+70952064855;
• Vladimir Lukin, Russian Federal Ombudsman for Human Rights, Fax: +7 495 207-53-37;
• Minister of Internal Affairs, Rashid Nurgaliev, ul. Zhitnaya, 16, 117049 Moscow, Russian Federation, Telegram: Rossiia, 117049, Moskva, Fax: + 7 095 237 49 25;
• Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sergey Lavrov, Smolenskaya-Sennaya pl, 32/34, 121200 Moscow, Russian Federation, Telegram: Fax:+ 7 095 244 2203;
• 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;
• Embassy of the Russian Federation in Brussels, 31-33 boulevard du Régent, 1000 Brussels, Belgium, Fax: + 32 2 513 76 49.

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

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Geneva, 14 December 2007

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