“Seven police officers were disciplined on the basis of complaints from convicts” – Ombudsman 

Disciplinary action was taken by the relevant authorities against a number of staff members for shortcomings identified during monitoring visits.

During the reporting year, the Ombudsman received 6,104 complaints from detainees, their close relatives and lawyers. Of these, 2,119 were appeals from persons directly detained in closed institutions.

Based on the Ombudsman’s appeal on complaints received during the inquiry and preliminary investigation, in accordance with a study conducted by the Prosecutor General’s Office, 32 decisions to refuse to initiate criminal proceedings were found to have been made prematurely and revoked. In 16 cases, a service check was launched into the actions of the guilty officers.

According to the results of the pre-investigation investigation by the prosecutor’s office, the decisions to refuse to initiate criminal proceedings on 11 complaints were overturned by the higher prosecutor’s office on the basis of the Ombudsman’s control letter, and additional investigations were carried out. Moreover, according to the results of the service investigation of these complaints, disciplinary measures were taken against 7 police officers on 4 cases.

Based on the Ombudsman's letter on appeals received by convicts (prisoners) on mitigation of punishment or precautionary measures, on 13 appeals, the sentences imposed by the relevant courts on 59 convicts were commuted to lighter ones and the precautionary measures of 2 convicts were commuted to lighter ones.

On appeals from convicts regarding family support, various economic and social assistance was provided to the families of 11 convicts by the relevant authorities. The Penitentiary Department also transferred 13 convicts to penitentiaries in areas close to their place of residence at the Ombudsman’s request.

Earlier, it was reported that a bill was submitted for public discussion, which states that any work performed during the period of serving a sentence in penitentiary institutions can be included in the length of service, if the social tax is paid for this work.