The ECHR ordered Russia to pay 34 thousand euros to the mother of a conscript who committed suicide

The European Court of Human Rights has awarded compensation of 33,800 euros to the mother of conscript Anton Styazhkov, who committed suicide in 2002 due to hazing. This was reported on the website of the court.

The court found the Russian authorities responsible for the use of violence in the army against a 19-year-old conscript, as well as for the lack of a proper investigation into his death.

According to Memorial, Styazhkov's body with two gunshot wounds and numerous bruises was found on August 8, 2002, on the territory of his military unit. Law enforcement agencies opened a criminal case on incitement to suicide (Article 110 of the Criminal Code) and violation of statutory relationships under (Part 3 of Article 335 of the Criminal Code).

During the investigation, it turned out that the recruit received at least 20 blows with the butt of a machine gun in the chest and legs, as well as a punch in the face from a sergeant and another private for sleeping on duty. However, a year later, the soldier, because of whom Styazhkin committed suicide, was released under an amnesty, and the case against the second was dismissed.

Soon the mother of the deceased soldier filed a complaint with the ECtHR. “During the investigation and trial, the version that Styazhkov could have been killed by the military was not properly considered. The Memorial HRC pointed out in its complaint to the ECHR that it was a murder and not a suicide,” the organization notes.