• Urgent Action

Urgent Action: Young Victim of Videoed Torture Still Missing (Russian Federation: UA 142.20)

September 17, 2020

On 5 September, 19-year-old Salman Tepsurkaev was abducted from the Krasnodar region in southern Russia. He had moderated 1ADAT, a popular Telegram channel critical of the Chechen authorities. Reports indicate that he was taken to Chechnya and may be held in secret incommunicado detention by law enforcement officials in the Chechen capital Grozny. While Salman Tepsurkaev’s whereabouts remain unknown, a video has appeared on social media where he is seen being sexually violated “in punishment” for cooperating with 1ADAT.

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  1. Write a letter in your own words or using the sample below as a guide to one or both government officials listed. You can also email, fax, call or Tweet them.
  2. Click here to let us know the actions you took on Urgent Action 142.20. It’s important to report because we share the total number with the officials we are trying to persuade and the people we are trying to help.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Lt.-Gen. Vitaly Gheorgievich Volkov Head of the Investigative Directorate Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the Chechen Republic Ul. Altaiskaya, d. 3 Grozny, Chechen Republic Russian Federation 364000 Email: [email protected] Twitter: @sledcom_rf Facebook: @sledcomru
Ambassador Anatoly Antonov Embassy of the Russian Federation 2650 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington DC 20007 Phone: 202 298 5700 I Fax: 202 298 5735 Email: [email protected] Twitter: @RusEmbUSA Facebook: @RusEmbUSA Instagram: @RusEmbUSA Salutation: Dear Ambassador

SAMPLE LETTER Dear Head of the Investigative Directorate, I am deeply dismayed by the reports of abduction and torture, including sexual violence, of Salman Tepsurkaev, a 19-year-old moderator of the 1ADAT Telegram channel known for its criticism of the Chechen authorities and dissemination of information on human rights violations committed in Chechnya. As you are well aware from numerous media publications, after Salman Tepsurkaev went missing on 5 September in Gelendzhik, Krasnodar region, a video appeared on social media, on 7 September, in which he is seen being subjected to sexual violence. The video ends with Salman Tepsurkaev saying this was punishment for cooperating with 1ADAT. 1ADAT, independent Russian media and human rights organizations have since published new video footage and other evidence which suggest that Salman Tepsurkaev was abducted by members of Chechen security forces and taken to Chechnya where he has been unlawfully detained since. These sources have also named the location of law enforcement premises in Grozny where he has likely been unlawfully detained, and held incommunicado, which substantially increases his risk of further torture or other ill-treatment. I urge you to take swift action to establish Salman Tepsurkaev’s fate and whereabouts, and ensure his immediate and unconditional release, and ensure he has access to justice and effective remedies; conduct a full, effective, independent and impartial investigation into the reported circumstances of Salman Tepsurkaev’s abduction, and into all allegations of sexual assault, torture and other ill-treatment, and ensure that all those suspected of responsibility are identified and brought to justice in fair trial proceedings. Yours sincerely, [YOUR NAME] ADDITIONAL RESOURCES