In Makhachkala SIZO, hunger-striker attempts to commit suicide

Rakhman Ramazanov, an inmate of the Makhachkala SIZO-1 (pre-trial prison), who went on a hunger strike, cut his veins to protest against the conditions of detention, and his health state gives rise to concern. This was reported by Murad Magomedov, lawyer of Rakhman Ramazanov.

The "Caucasian Knot" has already reported that in the Makhachkala SIZO, inmates, being dissatisfied with the conditions of detention, went on a hunger strike. The protest action began on July 6, when special unit of the SIZO-1, consisting of six cells, claimed its protest. According to relatives of the prisoners, as of July 9, about 300 inmates joined the hunger strike.

"I just visited my client, and he is not only on a hunger strike, but he also cut his veins to express his protest. It happened on Friday, July 6, and I learned about that only during my personal visit to him. Health of Rakhman deteriorates with each passing day, he is pale and weak; however, no one pays due attention to that," the lawyer said. He also stated that today, about 500 persons are on the hunger strike, and the condition of detention of the prisoners much deteriorated after new deputy head of the SIZO was appointed.

"When Daud Daudov took up his duties, the situation at the SIZO changed for the worse. By order of Daud Daudov, personnel seize any religious literature from the prisoners, handcuff them, do not allow receiving transfers, shaved off beard, and practice beatings," Murad Magomedov has stressed.

He has said that the protesters demand to be treated normally, to bring the size of bars on the windows to the standard ones, and to reduce noise caused by "jammers" for mobile communications.

No comments from the SIZO-1 are available. The personnel reported that only the Chief, who was not at work, could comment on the situation.

Let us remind you that staff members of the Dagestani Federal Penitentiary Service (known as FSIN) deny information on hunger strike. On July 9, participants of the protest action were visited by human rights defenders.

According to Gasan Aigunov, Chairman of the Public Monitoring Commission (PMC) in Dagestan, part of claims, presented by the prisoners to the administration of the SIZO, "these the same demands that were declared by participants of the hunger strike, held in the SIZO-1 in this March."