ECHR Fines Russia for Torture in Prison
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has fined Russia at 45 thousand Euro for torture of a Chechen man in the Russian prison.
Here is the press release:
EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS
Press Release
ECHR 448 (2012)
11.12.2012
Tangiyev v. Russia (no. 27610/05)
The applicant, Timur Tangiyev, is a citizen of Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, who was born in 1977 and is serving a 23 year and 10 month prison sentence in the Vladimir Region (Russia) for, among other things, the murder of two Russian police officers in Grozny in 2003. The case concerned his allegation that he had been tortured both during his arrest – he had been beaten and burnt with cigarette butts and matches – and subsequently in police custody – he had been subjected to electrocution – in order to make him confess to the murders. He also complained that the ensuing investigation into his allegations had been inadequate. He relied in particular on Article 3 (prohibition of torture and of inhuman or degrading treatment). Further relying on Article 6 § 1 (right to a fair trial within a reasonable time), he complained that the criminal proceedings against him had been unfair, notably because his conviction had been based on a forced confession. Lastly, he alleged that his family had been persecuted and their house had been set on fire in February 2010 as a result of him bringing his application before the European Court, in violation of Article 34 (right of individual petition).
Two violation of Article 3 (treatment + investigation)
Violation of Article 6 § 1 (unfairness)
No violation of Article 34
Just satisfaction: EUR 45,000 (non-pecuniary damage) and EUR 2,260 (costs and expenses)