Today the Multiregional Committee against Torture, having conducted an investigation under the case of Mr. Astrakhantsev from Orsk (Orenburg region) who claims he was beaten by the police at the moment of detention, sent the application under this case to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.  Lawyers from the Committee against Torture found violation of three articles of the European Convention on Human Rights in the police actions – article 3 (prohibition of torture), article 5 (right to the security of torture) and article 13 (right to an effective investigation).

The events themselves – detention and battery of Mr. Astrakhantsev by the police- pertain to the summer of 2004.

During 3 years the Prosecutor’s office refused to instigate a criminal case although there were evident proofs of the police officers’ guilt. There were 5 decisions not to stat a criminal case that were later found unlawful by the court and higher-standing prosecutors. The investigation was neither accurate, nor objective or independent. It was unfoundedly delayed. Due to the actions of the Prosecutor’s office at the present moment it is impossible to find and prosecute real culprits.

You may remember that Mr. Astrakhantsev was detained by the Orsk police, taken to the police station and severely battered. As a result of tortures the young man lost conscious several times. The police did not give the reason for detaining him.

This “communication” with the police resulted in multiple injures for Mr. Astrakhantsev – the doctors diagnosed a shoulder fracture, numerous wounds upon his head, face, arms and body, bruises around his eyes and neck.

Since the state did not perform its obligation to conduct an effective investigation of the events of 2004 and it is now impossible to restore the rights of Mr. Astrakhantsev on the national level, the Committee against Torture that grants legal aid to the victim is willing to seek justice at the European Court.