Tumgoev’s sister demands to improve conditions in penal colony

Today, in Saratov, a sister of prisoner Timur Tumgoev has held a solo picket and claimed that the Investigating Committee of the Russian Federation (ICRF) and the Prosecutor’s Office should take measures to protect her brother, a native of North Ossetia, who complains about the conditions of detention in the penal colony in the Saratov Region.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that Timur Tumgoev, a native of Vladikavkaz, took part in a hunger strike of prisoners in the penal colony and cut himself in protest against the conditions of detention.

Today, in Saratov, prisoner’s sister Marina Tumgoeva has held a solo picket in defence of her brother.

Marina Tumgoeva explained to the “Caucasian Knot” correspondent that she had arrived in Saratov from North Ossetia three days ago to find out the fate of her brother, from whom she had no news for a long time. “I wrote to both the FSIN (Federal Penitentiary Service) and the supervisory authorities. I received a response only from the FSIN. They informed me that my brother did not want to communicate with us. They are hiding the true state of affairs. The rest of the authorities did not answer. So, I came and held a solo picket in front of the Prosecutor’s Office,” Marina Tumgoeva said.

The woman noted that she got audio messages from her brother, in which he complained about the ban on wearing a beard, as it should be usual for Muslims. Timur Tumgoev complained to his sister about the conditions of detention, including food and attitude of warders. Since April, mass hunger strikes have been held in the penitentiary institution where Timur Tumgoev is being held. Prisoners opened their veins and sewed up their mouths in protest.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on July 21, 2021 at 03:09 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.