Following the assistance of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Russia, an improper fine for lack of registration at the place of residence, imposed on an 80-year-old pensioner, was cancelled, the official reply from the Leninskiy District Prosecutor’s Office of Tomsk City to the High Commissioner’s request said.

In January 2015, Ms R. submitted to the High Commissioner a complaint having stated that she had been wrongfully held liable for an administrative offence. Another complaint she had previously filed to the head of the Leninskiy District Police Department of Tomsk City was left without an answer.

In her application the senior lady said that about two years ago, while permanently living in her apartment, she had been visiting her late sister’s dwelling from time to time. On 22 February 2013, when she was there, a policeman called on her. The senior lady thought that the visit was related to a recent fire in a neighbour’s apartment and signed the records, having failed to read them since she had bad sight due to her 1st category vision disability. Almost two years later she received a letter from a bailiff’s department that read that by an order of the district police officer she was held liable for an administrative offence for lack of registration at the place of residence.

The inspection having been conducted by the Prosecutor’s Office of Tomsk City after the High Commissioner’s request found out that the procedure of holding Ms R. accountable for the administrative offence was infringed. So, the district police officer’s order was cancelled.

Moreover, another violation concerning the terms provided for sending an order to the bailiff was revealed, since the order could be executed within one year only. In addition, following the prosecutor’s office order to eliminate violations, the district police officer who had drawn up the records was disciplined.