ECHR Imposes Interim Measures in Response to Torture Complaint From Surgut

On February 26, 2019, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ordered the Russian government to immediately send 57-year-old Sergey Loginov—one of seven Jehovah’s Witnesses who reported torture in the building of the Investigative Committee—for an independent medical examination. Of the seven tortured, Sergey Loginov is the only one who remains in custody.

According to the order handed down by the court in Strasbourg, the Government of Russia has until March 20, 2019, to comply. The order states that Mr Loginov be immediately examined by medical doctors independent from both the Russian Investigative Committee and the penitentiary system. This is to be done with a view to determining the current state of the applicant’s physical and psychological health and ascertaining any harm to his health suffered as a result of the alleged torture on February 15 and 16, 2019. The medical professionals are to establish whether Mr. Loginov is in need of medical treatment and whether he is able, due to his current state of health, to remain in pre-trial detention. If any treatment is required, they are to determine whether it could be administered from within the pre-trial detention facility. The Russian Government has until March 11, 2019, to provide the Court with the medical certificates issued by these medical doctors.

Earlier in Surgut (Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area) mass searches and detentions of citizens suspected of practicing the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses took place. At least seven people reported that they were tortured during interrogations in the building of the Investigative Committee. On February 16, 2019, the hotline of the Investigative Committee of Russia received a request to open an investigation regarding the torture of Sergey Loginov that took place during the intervals between interrogations. Shortly thereafter lawyers prepared and filed a complaint to the European Court. (Loginov and Others v. Russia / case no. 10618/19).