21:57, 21 February 2024

Human rights defender Nagavkin accuses SIZO administration of illegal detention in solitary confinement

Igor Nagavkin at the Leninsky District Court. Photo by Vyacheslav Yaschenko for the "Caucasian Knot"

At a court hearing in a case on disorganization of the operation of a SIZO (pre-trial prison), Igor Nagavkin, a human rights defender from Volgograd, complained being illegally kept in solitary confinement for more than 40 days.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that the Leninsky District Court of the Volgograd Region is considering the case against Igor Nagavkin, who is being charged with disorganizing the operation of the SIZO. The Volgograd human rights defender himself complained about a provocation when he had been placed to a cell with pedophiles, which caused a conflict with the SIZO staff.

On April 18, 2023, a court in the Volgograd Region found Igor Nagavkin guilty of stealing jewellery and sentenced him to six years of imprisonment. In November, the convicted human rights defender complained about constant threats and pressure from the SIZO administration.

A video of the incident in the cell with the pedophiles was shown in court. Igor Nagavkin’s sister Natalia said that “it was hard to watch and listen to the video.”

Igor Nagavkin also complained that on May 16, 2023, he was beaten by a SIZO warder. The convicted human rights defender also spoke about the unacceptable conditions of detention in the isolation cell and in the cells. So, on January 18, he was transferred to a cell where entire wall was covered with mould and the water tap had a hole that the prisoners had to wrap with plastic. After the Igor Nagavkin’s complaint, the SIZO administration promised to repair the cell, but did not fulfil the promise.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on February 20, 2024 at 01:14 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

Source: СK correspondent