18 January 2017

Source: HRO.org

Russia’s Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN) has failed to confirm the findings of members of the Human Rights Council regarding rights violations that took place in the Karelian prison colony where Ildar Dadin was confined.

FSIN carried out an investigation into the information provided by Igor Kalyapin and Pavel Chikov, members of the Presidential Council on the Development of Civil Society and Human Rights, following their visit to prison colony No 7 in Karelia. Civil rights activist Ildar Dadin was held there after being convicted of violating the law on public demonstrations. The Federal Penitentiary Service announced that it had not been able to substantiate the Human Rights Council’s members’ findings. This was reported by the Council on its website.

“In our report we gave details of the circumstances in which we had to inspect the prison colony, the refusal to hand over documents or video evidence, and the testimony of other inmates. Moreover, the report detailed allegations that we found to be entirely substantiated and logical. Considering that the Federal Penitentiary Service was unable to confirm our findings, it is practically accusing us of lying. As a result, I find it necessary to request that the Federal Penitentiary Service provides us with the material gathered from its inspection,” stated human rights defender Igor Kalyapin.