Urgent Action Update: Two missing prisoners found; torture fears remain

After weeks of uncertainty about the fate and whereabouts of IT specialist Victor Filinkov and civil society activist Yuliy Boyarshinov, on 31 October the two men were confirmed to being held at pre-trial detention centres in St. Petersburg, Russia. The authorities failed to disclose the fate or whereabouts of the two men, despite them being in their custody, which amounts to an enforced disappearance. Their allegations of torture and ill-treatment remain un-investigated and there are serious concerns for Victor Filinkov’s health.

Take action.

Please write immediately in Russian or your own language to the Russian authorities to:

• Ensure that Victor Filinkov and Yuliy Boyarshinov are protected from torture and other ill-treatment in detention and that a prompt, independent, effective and impartial investigation is conducted into their allegations of torture and ill-treatment;
• Facilitate an independent medical examination of Victor Filinkov and ensure that he has regular access to any medical treatment required.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 14 DECEMBER 2018 TO:

Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation

Yuriy Yakovlevich Chaika

Prosecutor General’s Office

125993 Moscow GSP-3

ul. B. Dmitrovka 15a

Russian Federation

Fax: +7 495 987 58 41 / +7 495 692 17 25

Salutation: Dear Prosecutor General

Director of Federal Penitentiary Service

Gennady Alexandrovich Kornienko

Federal Penitentiary Service

119991 Moscow

Ul. Zhitnaya 14

Russian Federation

Fax: +7 495 799 3240

E-mail: udmail@fsin.su

Salutation: Dear Director

Chairman of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation

Alexander Ivanovich Bastrykin

Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation

105005 Moscow

Tekhnichesky per. 2

Russian Federation

Salutation: Dear Chairman

Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. HIS EXCELLENCY MR ALEXANDER VLADIMIROVICH YAKOVENKO, Embassy of Russia, 6-7 Kensington Palace Gardens W8 4QP, 020 7229 6412

Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date.