Torture of JW’s Sergei Loginov: ECHR compels Russia to do medical examination

MOSCOW, Russia – The European Court of Human Rights(ECHR) has compelled Russia to carry out medical examination on one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Sergei Loginov who has been in detention under the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia.

Loginov had alleged that he was tortured by representatives of Russian investigative bodies during a criminal prosecution. In response to the allegation, the ECHR notified the Ministry of Justice of Russia about Sergei Loginov’s request to apply urgent interim measures in the case following his alleged torture.

“As part of the response to the relevant appeal, the ECtHR suggested that the Russian authorities conduct an independent medical examination of the applicant in order to confirm or refute his claims”, the Russia Ministry of Justice said in a statement.

“In this regard, the Ministry of Justice of Russia and the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia in an expedited manner organized and conducted a medical examination of the applicant with the participation of medical specialists independent of the investigative bodies and the penitentiary system, and as a result it was established that Loginov’s allegations of torture were not confirmed”, the ministry said.

It added that based on the results of the examination of the evidence submitted by the Ministry of Justice of Russia and the legal argumentation on the issues raised, the ECtHR did not see any justified reasons for satisfying the applicant’s application for interim measures in accordance with Rule 39 of the European Court of Human Rights.

ECHR provides for the following under the rule

Rule 39 – Interim measures

1. The Chamber or, where appropriate, the President of the Section or a duty judge appointed
   pursuant to paragraph 4 of this Rule may, at the request of a party or of any other person
   concerned, or of their own motion, indicate to the parties any interim measure which they consider
   should be adopted in the interests of the parties or of the proper conduct of the proceedings.
2. Where it is considered appropriate, immediate notice of the measure adopted in a particular case
   may be given to the Committee of Ministers.
3. The Chamber or, where appropriate, the President of the Section or a duty judge appointed
   pursuant to paragraph 4 of this Rule may request information from the parties on any matter
   connected with the implementation of any interim measure indicated.
4. The President of the Court may appoint Vice-Presidents of Sections as duty judges to decide on
   requests for interim measures.

See the full statement below

The European Court of Human Rights has refused to satisfy the request of a member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses organization banned in Russia

The European Court of Human Rights notified the Ministry of Justice of Russia about the refusal to satisfy Sergei Loginov’s request to apply urgent interim measures in the case, since he was allegedly tortured by representatives of Russian investigative bodies during a criminal prosecution.

As part of the response to the relevant appeal, the ECtHR suggested that the Russian authorities conduct an independent medical examination of the applicant in order to confirm or refute his claims.

In this regard, the Ministry of Justice of Russia and the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia in an expedited manner organized and conducted a medical examination of the applicant with the participation of medical specialists independent of the investigative bodies and the penitentiary system, and as a result it was established that Loginov’s allegations of torture were not confirmed.

Based on the results of the examination of the evidence submitted by the Ministry of Justice of Russia and the legal argumentation on the issues raised, the ECtHR did not see any justified reasons for satisfying the applicant’s application for interim measures in accordance with Rule 39 of the European Court of Human Rights.