Kudinov and Kornilov were sentenced to 4 years in prison, and Fedorov to 4.5 years. All three were deprived of the right to hold positions in the civil service for a period of 2.5 years. Due to the expiration of the terms for criminal prosecution, all three were released from punishment.
– So, the state admitted the fact of torture against Zontov, Pikalova and Gumerova – this is the key and most important point of all the work on this case. Now that the ECHR protection mechanisms are not available to Russian citizens, we need a fair judicial system more than ever,” comments Albina Mudarisova, head of the Orenburg branch of the Committee against Torture.
In May 2010, Kudinov, Fedorov and Kornilov detained and beat three Orenburg residents: Yuri Zontov, Svetlana Gumerova and Larisa Pikalova. They were subsequently diagnosed with multiple hematomas and abrasions. Doctors discovered that Pikalova had a closed head injury and a concussion, and a clump of hair was torn out from Gumerova’s head.
Unable to withstand the torture, the detainees incriminated themselves. Soon it was established that Zontov, Gumerova and Pikalova were not involved in these crimes, and the criminal prosecution was stopped, despite the confessions received from them.
Only 9 years after the incident, the victims turned to the Committee against Torture. Human rights activists managed to initiate a criminal case and win 350,000 rubles in compensation for illegal criminal prosecution in favor of the applicants. The ex-police officers guilty of torture were brought to justice, but were released from punishment due to the expiration of the statute of limitations.
It is noteworthy that two of the accused were previously prosecuted for similar crimes: Kornilov for extortion and abuse of office, and Makaev for abuse of office and causing death by negligence.
“During the announcement, judge Alexandra Alexandrova emphasized that the defendants “undermined the authority of law enforcement agencies,” comments Mudarisova. “It is important that as many police officers as possible learn about this verdict and draw conclusions.”
“ВЧК ОГПУ”