On September 9, 2010, Aleksei Sokolov was transferred from a remand centre in Novosibirsk to Krasnovarsk Region where he is due to serve his sentence. His family does not know yet which prison colony in Krasnovarsk Region he was sent to.
Until Amnesty International knows which prison colony he has been sent to, it is not possible to send Aleksei Sokolov letters of support. However, our support is very important for Aleksei Sokolov. His wife told an Amnesty International activist:
‘Every member of Amnesty International is a friend to Aleksei. He could only hold on during this year and a half thanks to your words of support, your letters, cards and your actions.’
As Aleksei Sokolov is at imminent risk of torture and other ill-treatment, Amnesty International Zurich English Speaking group is continuing to write to the authorities, asking them to bring about the following:
- to ensure Aleksei Sokolov's second appeal is given a full and fair hearing
- to ensure he is not subjected to torture or other forms of ill-treatment while in custody
- to ensure that he is given daily exercise and nutritious food, and is given his correspondence while in custody
- to transfer him to a detention centre closer to his home in the city of Yekateringburg where it is easier for his family and legal team to maintain close contact with him
- to conduct a prompt, thorough and impartial investigation into allegations that he has been beaten by prison guards while being held in a remand centre in Novosibirsk, Western Siberia, and to bring those responsible to justice
Amnesty International continues to believe that Aleksei Sokolov is a prisoner of conscience detained solely for the peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression in the course of his lawful human rights activities in Russia. He should be allowed to pursue his lawful activities as a human rights defender in Russia without fear of repercussions.
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