Elderly resident of Ijevsk admits to sexually assaulting his granddaughter.
A 65-year-old Izhevsk resident faces two months in custody for allegedly assaulting his underage granddaughter
In a chilling development, a criminal case has been initiated against the man due to violent acts of a sexual nature, as reported by the United Press Service of the Udmurtian courts. The suspect, who resides in Izhevsk, is accused of attacking his granddaughter, who is under the age of 14 but unspecified.
The consequences of a conviction could see the man serving up to 20 years behind bars. During the court hearing, both the accused and his lawyer protested the preventive measure of detention but were ultimately unsuccessful.
Sadly, this isn't an isolated incident. In early May, a resident of Sarapul stands accused of repeatedly raping his 2011-born cousin over a year-long period from June 2023 to May 2024. This case raises disturbing parallels.
Another tragic event transpired in St. Petersburg, where a pensioner was raped and abandoned on a stairwell.
When it comes to these horrific acts, here are some key preventive measures Russian courts employ to address sexual violence against minors:
- Strict Criminal Liability and Legal Provisions: Russia's Criminal Code has norms that specifically address sexual crimes against minors, such as Article 150. Recently, amendments have been introduced strengthening the qualifying and aggravating factors of this article, aiming to tighten the noose on such crimes.
- Judicial and Procedural Controls: Courts often impose preventive detention, bail restrictions, or other measures to prevent further offenses and obstruct investigations. These decisions are made considering the nature of the crime and the accused's potential threat level.
- Monitoring and Rights Protection in Detention: International standards, though not conclusively applicable to Russia, suggest that detention facilities be monitored to prevent abuse, including sexual violence among detainees. This monitoring can occur through visits from Ombudspersons and specialized units to ensure the respect of prisoner rights.
- Specialized Investigative Units: Some countries, like Russia, may have specialized units focusing on sexual crimes, ensuring these sensitive cases receive the necessary attention and appropriate procedural safeguards to mitigate further victimization.
- Preventive Programs and Juvenile Justice Measures: Efforts to discourage juvenile involvement in crime and criminal activity, such as preventive educational programs and probation, indirectly act as preventive measures by identifying and addressing root causes, reducing minors' susceptibility to abuse or exploitation.
In summary, Russian courts use a multifaceted approach to fight sexual crimes against minors, rooted in sturdy criminal legislation, judicial restraint mechanisms to prevent further offenses, and systems designed to protect convicts' rights and forestall abuse during detention. These strategies are integral parts of a comprehensive approach to address sexual crimes involving minors in Russia.
- The accused in Izhevsk, due to his violent acts of a sexual nature towards his underage granddaughter, is facing up to 20 years in prison, a severe penalty under Russia's general-news-related legal provisions.
- In the light of the preventive measures introduced in Russian courts, it is alarming that the accused and his lawyer in the Udmurtian city failed to negate the preventive detention measure in this health-and-wellness-related case.
- Unfortunately, similar incidents are being reported across the country, such as the assault on a 2011-born cousin in Sarapul, which occurred from June 2023 to May 2024, part of the crime-and-justice domain.
- As acknowledged by the United Press Service of the Udmurtian courts, the United Nations guidelines on health-and-wellness-related rights should be reinforced in Russia, including the prevention of sexual violence among detainees.
- The Russian authorities should establish and equip specialized investigative units that focus on sexual crimes, as part of creating a safer environment for sexual-health that encourages reporting and supports victims.
