Alleged torture and ill-treatment of 70-year-old Mr. Vladislav Trusov

The International Secretariat of the World Organization Against Torture (OMCT) requests your URGENT intervention in the following situation in Kyrgyzstan.

Brief description of the situation

The International Secretariat of OMCT has been informed by the Kyrgyz Committee for Human Rights (KCHR), a member of OMCT SOS-Torture Network, about the alleged torture and ill-treatment of 70-year-old Mr. Vladislav Trusov, by law enforcement agents of Karakol.

According to the information received, on 12 February 2009, three policemen entered Mr. Vladislav Trusov’s house allegedly without any reasons. While one was reportedly standing outside nearby the door, another severely beat him on his whole body and strangled him till unconsciousness. They then reportedly threatened him with death and requested documents related to a summer house and money. They eventually took documents away and 800 soms (approx. 20$).

On 19 February 2009, Mr. Vladislav Trusov reportedly met with Karakol public prosecutor to denounce the events, following which a medical examination was ordered. However, till this date, the conclusions therein remain unknown. Furthermore, no proper investigation has yet been reportedly launched into these allegations.

On 24 February 2009, Mr. Vladislav Trusov was hospitalised in Issyk-Kul regional hospital for further medical treatment.

The International Secretariat of OMCT is gravely concerned for the physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Vladislav Trusov. OMCT recalls that article 7 of the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, to which Kyrgyzstan is a State Party, states that “[n]o one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment”. OMCT urges the competent authorities of Kyrgyzstan to order carry out a prompt, effective, thorough, independent and impartial investigation into these allegations.

Action requested

Please write to the authorities in Kyrgyzstan urging them to:

1. Take all necessary measures to guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Vladislav Trusov;
2. Call upon the competent authorities to carry out a prompt, effective, thorough, independent and impartial investigation into the allegations of torture and ill-treatment, the result of which must be made public, in order to bring those responsible before a competent, independent and impartial tribunal and apply penal, civil and/or administrative sanctions as provided by law;
3. Ensure that adequate, effective and prompt reparation, including adequate compensation, proper medical care and rehabilitation, is granted to the victim;
4. Guarantee the respect of human rights and the fundamental freedoms throughout the country in accordance with international human rights standards.

Addresses

• Mr. Bakiev Kurmanbek Salievich, President of Kyrgyz Republic, Kyrgyzskaya Respublika, 720003. Bishkek, Prospekt Chuy, 205, Fax: 996312218627, ghpress2@rhl.bishkek.su
• Mr. Chudinov Igor, Prime Minister, Fax: 996312218627
• Mr. Kongantiev Moldomusa Tashpolotovich, Minister of Internal Affairs, Fax: 996312663031, 996312288788
• Mr. Tursunkulov Nurlan Zhanyshevich. , Minister of Justice, Fax: 996312663044 / 996312656502
• Mr. Elmurza Satybaldiev, Public Prosecutor of the Kyrgyz of Republic, Fax: 996312665411
• Permanent mission of Kyrgyzstan, Rue du Lac 4-6, 1207 Geneva, Switzerland, Email: kyrgyzmission@bluewin.ch, Fax: +41 22 707.92.21

Please also write to the embassies of Kyrgyzstan in your respective country.
Geneva, 23 March 2009

Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code of this appeal in your reply.