Mathematician Azat Miftakhov and former municipal deputy Alexey Gorinov, convicted under political articles, have filed a complaint about illegal criminal prosecution and deprivation of liberty with the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. This information was disseminated by the Memorial Human Rights Center.
Previously, fabricated criminal cases were initiated against the political prisoners under the article on "public justification of terrorism" (Part 1 of Article 205.2 of the Russian Criminal Code).
The appeal submitted to the UN points out that the wording of Article 205.2 of the Russian Criminal Code is "excessively broad and vague." To hold someone accountable for "justification of terrorism," it is not required to prove the accused had a specific intent. Moreover, a statement is considered public if it was heard by at least one person.
Additionally, the complaint emphasizes that provocative methods and inadmissible evidence were used in Gorinov's case. In particular, in the medical unit of the prison, inmates with recording devices were deliberately placed with the former deputy, who persistently pushed him to discuss the war in Ukraine. In 2023, one such cellmate asked Gorinov 137 questions related to military actions within a single day.
The document underscores that Miftakhov and Gorinov are being held under strict conditions. Before his arrest, the politician had contracted tuberculosis and undergone lung resection, necessitating regular medical monitoring. However, he is not provided with the necessary medical care in places of detention.
The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention is an international mechanism that considers complaints about unjustified deprivation of liberty worldwide. As Memorial notes, the group's conclusion could serve as sufficient grounds for reviewing the criminal case.