Court in Elista refuses to transfer HIV-positive convict to correctional labour

Yuri Mikhailov, who became HIV infected after staying at the SIZO (pre-trial prison) in the Krasnodar Territory and in colonies in Kabardino-Balkaria and Kalmykia, has asked the court to replace the remaining part of his forced labour for freedom restriction and correctional labour. Despite the fact that the prosecutor had supported his petition, the judge has denied it.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Yuri Mikhailov, 37, who got infected with HIV in the colony, demanded compensation for inadequate custody conditions.

"I asked that my forced labour be replaced with restriction of freedom and correctional labour. Forced labour is when you live in a government dormitory and work six days a week. And should the court had granted my motion, then I would have lived at my registration place in more comfortable conditions, I could have got a job that suits me and work there," Yuri Mikhailov has explained.

"I've explained to the judge that a year and a half ago, my mother died in a fire. Only my father remains, and he is disabled," Yuri has stated, adding that the prosecutor had seen grounds for mitigating the sentence, since Mikhailov has chronic diseases, and since 2020, her is Category III invalid for his mental disorder.