detention conditions

Limassol protest: Detainees speak of police verbal and physical abuse

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Limassol protest: Detainees speak of police verbal and physical abuse

Ten individuals arrested at a Limassol demonstration speak of an unprovoked police attack, horrible detention conditions, and abuse by the police. They were arrested following scuffles between protesters and police officers demanding a fair investigation into the death of Bangladeshi immigrant Anisur Rahman. Protestors and lawyers dispute the police’s account, describing the clash as an “unprovoked attack” and accusing the police of abuse.

Russia responsible for Navalny’s death, UN rights expert says

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Russia responsible for Navalny’s death, UN rights expert says

The U.N. human rights expert on Russia, Mariana Katzarova, stated that the Russian government is responsible for Alexei Navalny’s death, which occurred either due to being killed in prison or from detention conditions equating to torture. Navalny died on February 16 in an Arctic prison, with Russia’s spy chief claiming he died a natural death. Katzarova expressed concern for other detainees in Russia, including opposition politician Vladimir Kara-Murza, fearing they might face the same fate as Navalny. The Kremlin has denied accusations from Navalny’s wife, Yulia Navalnaya, that President Vladimir Putin had Navalny killed. Yulia Navalnaya has called for a massive election day protest against Putin on March 17, citing public support for Navalny’s cause since his death.

Central Prisons: CoE report flags overcrowding and conditions

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Central Prisons: CoE report flags overcrowding and conditions

The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) released a report highlighting concerns about overcrowding in Cyprus’s Central Prisons and deficiencies in detention conditions across prisons, police holding cells, and Mental Health Services. The report points out issues such as understaffing due to overcrowding, with prison populations exceeding a thousand inmates, and inadequate detention conditions, where cells meant for fewer detainees now accommodate more. The CPT also expressed concerns about insufficient medical personnel in prisons, leading to staff members assuming nursing duties, and suggested increasing efforts to assess incoming prisoners to address suicide and attempted suicide incidents. The Deputy Director of Central Prisons, Haris Philipides, acknowledged the overcrowding problem and stated that measures are being promoted to alleviate it and improve conditions for prisoners and staff. An action plan has been developed for the Committee’s recommendations, with specific timelines to monitor implementation.