Ex-Detention Center Warden in Irkutsk Jailed 5 Years for Abusing Inmates

A court in Russia’s Irkutsk region has sentenced the former warden of a pre-trial detention facility to five years in prison for abusing inmates, according to the regional court’s press service.

Details of the Case

The former head of Detention Center No. 1 in Irkutsk, identified as Alexander Ustimenko, was found guilty of abusing his authority and inflicting physical and psychological harm on detainees. The court established that Ustimenko, together with subordinates, used violence to intimidate and punish inmates.

The crimes were committed between 2016 and 2017, when Ustimenko was responsible for supervising the detention facility. Several victims reported being beaten, humiliated, and subjected to illegal disciplinary measures.

Legal Proceedings

The court confirmed that Ustimenko’s actions violated the rights and dignity of prisoners and undermined trust in law enforcement institutions. He pleaded not guilty, but the evidence presented by investigators, including witness testimony and medical reports, supported the guilty verdict.

The court sentenced Ustimenko to five years in a general-regime penal colony and barred him from holding public office for three years after completing his sentence.

Reaction and Context

Human rights defenders in Irkutsk welcomed the decision, calling it a rare case of accountability within the penitentiary system. They noted that reports of abuse in Russian detention centers often go uninvestigated.

“This verdict shows that even former officials are not exempt from responsibility,” a local activist commented.

Background

The investigation into the abuses began after detainees filed formal complaints describing widespread mistreatment in the facility. Russia’s Investigative Committee later opened a criminal case, which led to Ustimenko’s suspension and eventual dismissal before trial.

Author summary:
A former Irkutsk detention center chief received a five-year prison sentence for systematic inmate abuse, marking a rare public conviction of a Russian penitentiary official.

The Moscow Times — 2025-12-01