Russia: Kazan court starts hearings in police torture case
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 11 September 2012 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Russia: Kazan court starts hearings in police torture case, 11 September 2012, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5060408019.html [accessed 1 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
September 11, 2012
A policeman stands near a poster, flowers, and a champagne bottle left by protesters during their rally against police abuse outside the local Interior Ministry headquarters in Kazan in March. AFP
A court in Kazan, capital of Russia's Tatarstan Republic, has begun hearings in a high-profile case of alleged torture by police.
Two former police officers, Ilshat Garifullin and Ramil Nigmatziyanov, are charged with illegally arresting a local citizen who died after allegedly being beaten and raped with a champagne bottle while in police custody.
The March incident sparked protests across Russia and led to the dismissal of Tatarstan's Interior Minister Asgat Safarov.
In a separate civil lawsuit, the victim's relatives have demanded 1 million rubles ($31,500) from the two police officers.
The presiding judge ruled on September 11 that the court proceedings cannot be filmed.
Four other former police officers have been charged with torturing the victim to death.
Based on reporting by Interfax and RIA Novosti
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
