2020 Irkutsk prison riot

The 2020 Irkutsk prison riot was a prison riot in the IK-15 penal colony in the Irkutsk Oblast, Russia, on 9 April 2020.[1]

Riot

On 9 April 2020, prisoners at the IK-15 penal colony in Angarsk, Irkutsk Oblast staged a riot. The riot occurred after an incident in which the prison guards severely beat a prisoner, leading to that prison attempting suicide. Prisoners had also previously raised complaints over mistreatment and over the prison's decision to ban visits and mail due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Russia.[2][3] The riot lasted until the next day, when special forces were deployed to suppress it.[4] At least one prisoner, Maksim Dautov, was killed during the riot, and one other died of his injuries following the riot.[5]

Allegations of torture following the riot

Following the suppression of the riot, a number of prisoners were transferred out of IK-15 into other penal colonies in Irkutsk. Dozens of prisoners, including some who were transferred and some who weren't, have subsequently made allegations that they were tortured after the end of the riot.[6] According to Agence France Press, "prison guards embarked on a brutal campaign of retribution for the mutiny, turning inmates on each other to extract confessions with beatings and sexual violence."[7] According to the BBC News, "human rights activists estimate at least 350 prisoners were tortured after the riots."[8]

Kezhik Ondar, a prisoner who was transferred to the Pretrial Detention Center No. 1, was tortured and raped following his transfer after he refused to make a false confession of having instigated the riot. The inmates of the Pretrial Detention Centre were sentenced to 10 years incarceration for their role in the torture, while the prison guards who participated were sentenced to 5 years. In 2025, the sentences of the prison guards was reduced to 2 years.[9]

Tahirjon Bakiev, who was serving a sentence for gun theft, was transferred to the Corrective colony No. 6, Irkutsk Oblast. There, he was tortured and raped. In early 2024, he committed suicide.[10]

References

  1. ↑ "Ex-Detention Center Warden in Irkutsk Jailed 5 Years for Abusing Inmates". The Moscow Times. 1 December 2025. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  2. ↑ "Russian Authorities Say Siberian Prison 'Under Control' After Riot, Fire". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 11 April 2020. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  3. ↑ "Russia prison: Jail ablaze in Angarsk Siberia after inmates riot". BBC News. 11 April 2020. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  4. ↑ "'Everything except bodies' In Russian prisons, fellow inmates torture each other to win booze, parole, and lighter sentences. Here's how the system works". Meduza. 27 October 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  5. ↑ Luxmoore, Matthew (14 May 2020). "After Deadly Prison Riot In Siberia, Officials Are Tight-Lipped As Families Seek Information On Survivors". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  6. ↑ Chernova, Maria (11 March 2021). "'The Law Doesn't Work In Irkutsk': Activists Claim Systemic Problem In Russian Region's Prison-Abuse Scandal". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  7. ↑ "Prison riot reveals 'systemic' abuse in Russian jails". France24. 7 October 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  8. ↑ Prosvirova, Olga (10 August 2022). "Ex-inmates reveal details of Russia prison rape scandal". BBC News. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  9. ↑ "Russian court reduces sentences of prison guards who tortured and raped inmate, allowing for their early release". Meduza. 30 January 2025. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  10. ↑ "Inmate With Central Asian Roots Who Was Tortured In Russian Prison Found Hanged". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 6 February 2024. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
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