Last week, Commissioner for Human Rights in Yaroslavl Region Sergey Baburkin visited Pretrial Detention Centre No. 1 in Yaroslavl Region (hereinafter as SIZO-1) several times. During the last visit on 22 July, Sergey Baburkin made sure that the conditions of detention in SIZO-1 had improved.

During the previous visits, the Commissioner discussed with the senior officials of the pretrial detention centre the problems the representatives of non-governmental organisations, attorneys and relatives of detainees of SIZO-1 had addressed him with. The inspection revealed that the complaints had grounds – the wet walls in the rooms for persons to be transferred were covered with mold, and the detainees had neither fresh air, nor hot water.

The last visit demonstrated that the SIZO-1 senior officials had taken the criticism constructively. Persons under investigation had been transferred to the rooms with better conditions. They had been provided with bed sheets and an opportunity to take a wash.

The SIZO-1 is planned to be repaired, and the preparation works have already begun.

Adapted from the Press Service of the Commissioner for Human Rights in Yaroslavl Region