Today, on December 2, 2011 the Nizhny Novgorod regional court has heard the cassation appeal against the Kstovo city court verdict in respect of former police officer, platoon commander of the detached company of the Patrol and Point-Duty Service under the Kstovo District Directorate of the Interior Vladimir Kiselyov, and has dismissed it, saying that the first instance court judgment is lawful and well-founded.

We would like to remind you that on August 30, 2011 the Kstovo district court found Vladimir Kiselyov guilty of cruelly beating two teenagers, Roman Vaulin and Nikita Kaftasyev, and sentenced him to three and a half years of imprisonment in a standard security penal colony.

The convict did not acknowledge his guilt or repent during the hearing, on the contrary, he tried to delude the investigative authorities and court by giving misleading statements.

Besides, the Committee Against Torture notes with sorrow that at present there is still a negative tendency when state agents, namely, police officers, commit offenses against the person by breaching the law they are supposed to protect and enforce. At the same time, their colleagues consider them heroes and believe that law enforcement bodies are losing loyal soldiers. Many police officers honestly think that disclosure of a crime or administrative offense implies, and even requires human rights violations and abuse of office.

At the same, it is explicitly stipulated in Articles 5 and 6 of the Law “On Police” that the police should base its activities on the respect for human rights and freedoms, as well as on full compliance with law. Therefore, when on duty, the police should not yield to emotions, empathize with their friends and colleagues, but protect the law demonstrating their understanding of and commitment to human rights.

In this case there have been exceptions as well. Former Kiselyov’s colleagues – policemen of the Kstovo Directorate of the Interior – gave false testimonies during the pre-trial investigation in order to help the perpetrator escape liability for the committed crime.  

In the nearest future the Committee Against Torture will apply to the investigative authorities with a crime report in connection with perjury by policemen.