A representative of the ombudsman uncovered attempts to conceal evidence of torture at the Odesa Pretrial Detention Center

A monitoring team from the Office of the Ukrainian Parliament’s Human Rights Commissioner in the Odesa region, led by Igor Mishchenko, visited the Odesa Detention Center to investigate allegations of possible torture there.

As representatives of the Ombudsman emphasized following the inspection, during an unscheduled monitoring visit, they determined that due to a technical malfunction that occurred the day before, video recordings had not been preserved—in particular, from the wing where the individual who was likely a victim of violence was being held.

During an inspection of the cell where the individual was being held, signs of recent repair work were discovered: there was a distinct smell of paint, and fresh traces of it were visible. At the same time, facility staff claimed that no repair work had been carried out in the cell and that they did not know the source of the odor.

While speaking with the detainees in that cell, it was determined that the tiled floor had been urgently removed and part of the cell had been repainted.

Consequently, representatives of the Ombudsman’s Office called in an investigative team from the National Police of Ukraine to document the possible concealment of evidence of a criminal offense. Law enforcement officers carried out the necessary procedural actions aimed at documenting the alleged concealment of evidence of a crime. In addition, they documented instances in which certain employees of the facility, in the presence of representatives of the monitoring group, attempted to pressure individuals providing statements in order to conceal the actual circumstances of the incident and obstruct the establishment of the objective truth.

Earlier,Intentreported that the State Penitentiary Service of Ukraine had launched an internal investigation into a possible violation of the rights of a person held at the Odesa Pretrial Detention Center. The detention center’smanagement has been suspended from their duties for the duration of the investigation.

In addition, a team ofseniorofficials from the Department for the Enforcement of Criminal Sentences was dispatched to the Odesa Pretrial Detention Center to investigate the possible human rights violation and clarify all the circumstances of the incident.

Кирило Бойко