Statement by the Yabloko party, 2.12.2019

Photo by Kommersant/Dmitry Lebedev

The Yabloko party is closely following the case of Alexander Shestun, former head of the Serpukhov district of the Moscow region.

During the investigation and trial, the investigators committed numerous violations, such as inappropriate conditions of detention, use of physical force, and failure to provide medical assistance to a defendant with diabetes. The measures applied to Shestun, in particular, bringing him unconscious to court, do not at all correspond to the gravity of a possible crime. In response to such tratment, Shestun began a hunger strike on 26 November, 2019.

We consider such actions by the law enforcement as violation of human rights and an attempt to exert pressure. This practice has been extremely common in Russian prisons. Inaction of the authorities and absence of an investigation of the violations that have occurred give the investigating authorities a free hand and turn the investigation into bullying and torture of the suspect.

The Yabloko party calls on Alexander Bastrykin, head of the Investigative Committee of Russia, to stop violating the norms of the Code of Criminal Procedure of the Russian Federation in the Shestun case and begin an investigation of all the facts submitted by his defence. Those responsible for the professional misconduct must be found and punished in an administrative or criminal order.

We also urge Alexander Shestun not to risk his health and stop the hunger strike.

Emilia Slabunova,

Yabloko Chair