The Sovietsky district Investigation Department (Ufa) of the IA of the IC under the RF Prosecutor’s Office for Bashkiria has finished investigation of the criminal case against police officers of Ufa Police Department no. 7– operative investigators Shakir Panakhov and Artur Khanipov.

On October 2, 2010 the Bashkirian representation of INGO “Committee against Torture” received an application from Nadezhda Petrova acting in the interests of her son Vyacheslav Petrov who had been beaten up by the police. Ms. Petrova explained that her son had been battered by the police for several days in the building of Ufa Police department no.7 in the Sovietsky district. The woman also mentioned that her son had had his lien removed because of the injuries. The public investigation conducted by the Bashkirian representation of INGO “Committee against Torture” and the prosecutorial investigation confirmed the claims of Nadezhda Petrova. Despite indisputable proofs, the officers deny their guilt and insist that they did not beat Petrov. 

Shakir Panakhov is charged under cl. a, p. 3 art. 286 (abuse of office with violent treatment), cl. а p. 3 art. 111 (intentional infliction of grave damage to health by a group of people by previous concert), p. 1 art. 285 (excess of official powers) and p. 2 art. 292 (forgery by an official leading to a grave human rights violation) of the RF Criminal Code.

Artur Khanipov is charged under cl. a, p. 3 art. 286 (abuse of office with violent treatment), cl. а p. 3 art. 111 (intentional infliction of grave damage to health by a group of people by previous concert) of the RF Criminal Code.

While the prosecutorial investigation was underway, both officers continued working in the law enforcement bodies, now they have signed a written pledge not to leave the city.

Today the criminal case has been submitted to court. The Committee against Torture will continue helping Vyacheslav Petrov.