OREANDA-NEWS. The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has declared illegal a ban on calls for Russian prisoners serving life sentences in high-security colonies. This follows from the court decision published on Tuesday, October 19, in the case «Danilevich vs Russia». «A complete ban on phone calls is considered unacceptable, and it is recommended to set a minimum number of phone calls, which should always be allowed», the court noted.

Danil Danilevich was found guilty by the Supreme Court of Tatarstan of banditry, illegal possession of firearms, kidnapping, extortion, murder and other crimes committed in Russia since the 1990s. He sentenced to life imprisonment. In December 2010, Danilevich asked permission from the head of the colony to call his family, since they live at a distance of more than 1000 km and can't visit him because of some financial problems.

In particular, the prisoner noted that the call is the only way for him to speak with his eight-year-old son. The request was rejected, as were the claims to the Russian court, in which he accused the administration of the colony of obstructing communication with the family in violation of article 8 of the Convention on Human Rights («Everyone has the right to respect for his private and family life, his home and his correspondence»).

The ECHR recognized the ban on calls illegal and awarded Danilevich 3400 euros of compensation for moral damage and 1300 euros of compensation for legal costs. It is impossible to impose any additional restrictions on life convicts when it comes to the ability to maintain contact with their families and other close people, the ECHR explained.