politics
Investigative Committee Refuses to Open Criminal Case on Torture of Political Prisoner Miftakhov, Names Operatives and 'Chief Petukh' of Polar Owl Colony
The Investigative Committee refused to initiate criminal proceedings against IK-18 employees Mikhail Sobolev, Pavel Kiselev, and Evgeny Tarayev, as well as convicts Alexander Bulanov and Mikhail Byatets, The Insider learned. They were investigated under articles concerning exceeding official powers and violent sexual acts. Investigator Ilshat Cheremshantsev issued the ruling on June 11, the last day of the maximum 30-day period for verifying the crime report received by the SK on May 12. Miftakhov's defense received the document only two weeks later.
TL;DR
- The Investigative Committee (SK) refused to open a criminal case concerning the alleged torture of political prisoner Azat Miftakhov.
- Miftakhov identified operative Evgeny Tarayev and inmate Mikhail Byatets as participants in his torture.
- The SK cited a lack of evidence, including the absence of visible injuries and corroborating testimonies, as reasons for refusal.
- The ruling officially disclosed the identities of Tarayev and Byatets, previously not publicly linked to the accusations.
- Miftakhov described being beaten, electrocuted, and threatened with sexual violence during his alleged torture.
- The SK's investigation relied partly on video footage showing Miftakhov without visible injuries and did not request other potentially relevant recordings.
- Miftakhov has a history of reporting pressure and alleged abuse during his imprisonment.
- Previous arrests and convictions of Miftakhov are related to charges of attacking a political party office and 'justifying terrorism'.