RUSSIAN MFA ON TREATMENT OF FORMER GUANTANAMO

C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 000154 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/23/2019 TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM PINR KDGR PTER KJUS RS SUBJECT: RUSSIAN MFA ON TREATMENT OF FORMER GUANTANAMO DETAINEES REF: STATE 4880 Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Alice G. Wells; reason 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) We met with Artem Kudoyarov, Deputy Director in the MFA's North America Department, to convey reftel concerns about reports that the GOR has denied critical medical care to Rasul Kudaev, a former detainee at the Guantanamo detention center currently in Russian custody. In addition to referencing accusations of mistreatment contained in a December 2008 report by the N.Y.-based Human Rights Watch, we noted the USG's general humanitarian interest in the post-transfer treatment of all Guantanamo detainees, particularly given the January 22 decision by President Obama to close Guantanamo within the next 12 months. We also expressed concern over reports of the possible mistreatment of Timur Ishmuratov and Ravil Gumarov, convicted in May 2006 of sabotaging a gas line in Tatarstan. ¶2. (C) Kudoyarov promised to inquire with the Russian Federal Prison Service as to Kudaev's physical condition and to see if a visit by an independent doctor would be possible. Kudoyarov asked what we meant by an "independent" doctor and we responded one not associated with the prison and chosen by Kudaev's family. He also inquired if the U.S. was opposed to the Russian government trying Kudaev for his suspected involvement in the October 13-14, 2005 attack by militants on government buildings in Nalchik. Fifty-eight men are currently on trial in Nalchik for this attack, in which 141 people died. We reinforced the need for a fair and transparent legal process and again stressed our concern over Kudaev's treatment during three years of pre-trial detention and his immediate need for medical care. BEYRLE