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Russia police 'regularly torture' Russia police 'regularly torture'
(about 4 hours later)
Russian security officials are regularly subjecting detainees to beatings, rape and torture, a report by Amnesty International says.Russian security officials are regularly subjecting detainees to beatings, rape and torture, a report by Amnesty International says.
More than 100 cases were documented in a small number of regions, although Chechnya - where incidences are said to be much higher - was not included.More than 100 cases were documented in a small number of regions, although Chechnya - where incidences are said to be much higher - was not included.
The report said in some cases convicted inmates were used to torture suspects.The report said in some cases convicted inmates were used to torture suspects.
Russia has not responded to the report, but authorities have previously acknowledged torture is a problem. The Ministry of Internal Affairs told the BBC torture did occur, but stressed that the problem was being tackled.
The human rights organisation also said suspects were regularly denied access to lawyers.
Amnesty accused state investigators of transferring suspects to inaccessible parts of the justice system such as prison colonies, blocking access for independent monitors and preventing publication of expert reports.
'Litany of horror''Litany of horror'
Amnesty called on the Russian government to protect the rights of those in detention.Amnesty called on the Russian government to protect the rights of those in detention.
It's a litany of horror and has no place in any decent justice system Tim HancockAmnesty UK campaign directorIt's a litany of horror and has no place in any decent justice system Tim HancockAmnesty UK campaign director
"We are hearing horrendous reports of prisoners being tortured in police detention in Russia - beatings with fists, plastic bottles full of water, books, truncheons and poles, of suffocation, the use of electroshocks and of organised rape," UK campaign director Tim Hancock said."We are hearing horrendous reports of prisoners being tortured in police detention in Russia - beatings with fists, plastic bottles full of water, books, truncheons and poles, of suffocation, the use of electroshocks and of organised rape," UK campaign director Tim Hancock said.
"It's a litany of horror and has no place in any decent justice system.""It's a litany of horror and has no place in any decent justice system."
The report gave the example of Yekaterinburg, where it is alleged that at least 30 male suspects were systematically tortured in a block of the local prison between 2004 and 2006.The report gave the example of Yekaterinburg, where it is alleged that at least 30 male suspects were systematically tortured in a block of the local prison between 2004 and 2006.
Convicted prisoners were allowed 24-hour access to suspects' cells, it added, saying that some victims mentioned a special room where suspects were raped.Convicted prisoners were allowed 24-hour access to suspects' cells, it added, saying that some victims mentioned a special room where suspects were raped.
Detainees were forced to sign confessions, which was an indication that police were coming under pressure to solve crimes, Amnesty said.Detainees were forced to sign confessions, which was an indication that police were coming under pressure to solve crimes, Amnesty said.
'Ploy by inmates''Ploy by inmates'
The report documented 100 cases in 11 out of the country's 89 regions. The Ministry of Internal Affairs said the problem was being dealt with, by prosecuting policemen responsible.
But it did not include Chechnya - where human rights groups have accused Russian and pro-Moscow Chechen security forces of widespread abuses - or examine other regions of the North Caucasus. But the authorities have also said that many torture allegations by inmates are simply a ploy to improve their custody conditions, according to the grani.ru website.
There has been no response so far from the Russian prosecutor-general's office. Russian law does not explicitly criminalise torture.
The BBC's Russia analyst says the authorities have previously acknowledged that the use of torture is a widespread problem. Russian law does not explicitly criminalise torture. The Amnesty report documented 100 cases in 11 out of the country's 89 regions.
But the authorities say many such allegations by inmates are simply a ploy to improve their custody conditions, according to the grani.ru website. But it did not include Chechnya - where human rights groups have accused Russian and pro-Moscow Chechen security forces of widespread abuses - or other regions of the North Caucasus.
It said suspects were regularly denied access to lawyers and accused investigators of transferring suspects to inaccessible parts of the justice system, blocking access for independent monitors and preventing publication of expert reports.