DUSHANBE, December 3, 2009, Asia-Plus – The European Court of Human Rights has ordered Russia to pay more than 18,000 euros ($27,000) in compensation to a Tajik citizen who was imprisoned in Russia for three years, Radio Liberty’s Tajik Service reported on December 2.
Rahmatullo Nazarov complained that he suffered inhumane treatment while in prison and was kept in extremely poor conditions. The Strasbourg court agreed with Nazarov”s claims and ruled that his right to freedom and personal security were violated.
Nazarov was arrested in April 2004 and charged with the purchase and possession of large amounts of drugs.
Tracey Turner-Tretz, a court spokeswoman, told RFE/RL that the court ordered the Russian government to pay 15,000 euros in damages and 3,500 euros for legal costs.
Nazarov”s lawyer, Mikhail Ovchinnikov, told RFE/RL that he and his client are satisfied with the court”s decision and he hopes that Nazarov, who is currently in Tajikistan, will receive the compensation awarded by the court.
