The Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg lacked two votes
so that to adopt Grigory Yavlinskys bill on equipping police
stations and cars with video cameras. The initiative was supported
by the following factions: YABLOKO, the Communist Party, the
majority of the Just Russia. Even Vyacheslav Makarov, the
Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and leader of the United
Russia faction, voted for the bill. Thus the bill gathered
24 votes in its favour. However, another 24 deputies present
at the plenary session did not participate in the vote and
did not allow to adopt the law.
Speaking to the MPs, Yavlinsky mentioned the example of Tatarstan,
where the tragedy in one of the police stations where a detained
man died of tortures made the President of Tatarstan promise
to install video cameras in all the police departments and
this promise has almost been fulfilled. "Last year a
young man died in one of St. Petersburg police stations,"
said Yavlinsky.
He stressed that the installation of video cameras could help
to observe the rights and legitimate interests of not only
the citizens but also the police in the case of illegal and
provocative behavior on the part of detainees. Thus, in Moscow
thanks to surveillance cameras police managed to prove that
a detainee had staged beatings. "If not for the video,
some young officers could have been behind bars," said
Grigory Yavlinsky.
"The availability of video content will increase the
efficiency of the police and the confidence of the citizens",
said YABLOKO leader.
Alexei Kovalyov, leader of the Just Russia faction, and communist
Alexei Vorontsov called to support YABLOKOs initiative. United
Russias MP Alexey Timofeyev spoke against the bill.
See also:
Human
Rights
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