Called a “prisoner of conscience,“ Ildar Dadin has been imprisoned in Russia since last December for participating in peaceful demonstrations. The Independent reports that two months after Dadin was moved to the prison colony in Segezha in Russia’s Karelia region, he found a way to smuggle out a letter to his family detailing the torture and beatings he’s endured since his arrival there in September.
According to Amnesty International, Dadin is the first person sentenced under Russia’s controversial new law banning even peaceful public assembly. Article 212.1 makes it a crime to violate the law more than twice in 180 days.
Dadin’s letter states that the prison is run like a mafia, with all of the staff involved, including doctors. It says he was beaten and kicked numerous times by groups of prison guards, that his head was stuffed down a toilet and he was threatened with rape. After initiating a hunger strike, Dadin says he was punished by guards hanging him from handcuffs and threatening to kill him.
In closing Dadin notes that the beatings have continued, and he cannot hold out much longer - that he believes he may be killed, with prison reports covering up the crimes.
Dadin also notes that other prisoners are suffering the same treatment, which supports AI's report that "Torture and other ill-treatment had been reported in Segezha prison colony in the past." Among other actions, AI is calling on Dadin’s immediate and unconditional release from prison.
Sign this petition to demand Russian authorities release Dadin and ensure the safety of all Segezha prisoners.
To: Prosecutor of Karelia Region: Karen Karlenovich Kabrileyan and Ambassador Sergey I. Kislyak, Embassy of the Russian Federation
According to Amnesty International and other sources Ildar Dadin’s letter not only documents the serious violations of his rights, it confirms past reports of ill treatment of inmates at Segezha prison colony. AI adds that this treatment is in obvious violation of UN Standard Minimum Rules for the treatment of prisoners.
Furthermore, adds AI, it is “in contravention of Russia’s human rights obligations» to have imprisoned Dadin in the first place for merely “exercising his rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.»
Therefore, I and others who support this petition, demand Dadin’s immediate release and assurance that the ill-treatment of other prisoners end at once.
Thanks for your time.
[Your Comments]
[Your Name]
