Press secretary Peskov: Kalashnikov was removed from the post of head of the Federal Penitentiary Service after his personal appeal 
Alexander Kalashnikov was removed from the post of head of the Federal Service execution of sentences (FSIN) after his personal appeal, said the press secretary of the President of Russia Dmitry Peskov. He is quoted by RIA Novosti.
“I would not establish any direct connection [with reports of torture in colonies]. It was a personal appeal from the head of the FSIN, “a Kremlin spokesman explained to Kalashnikov's resignation.
He recalled that, according to reports of torture, investigative actions are underway. “Therefore, there really are problems there, but I repeat once again, it was a personal appeal,” concluded Peskov.
Kalashnikov was dismissed from his post as director of the FSIN on November 25 by decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Instead of him, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Russia Arkady Gostev was appointed to this position.
Human rights activist Marina Litvinovich stated that in the resignation of Kalashnikov and the appointment of Gostev, one can see the weakening of the positions of the Federal Security Service (FSB), from which the former head is FSIN. “Control over the FSIN is transferred from the FSB to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The decision to remove the head of the FSIN Kalashnikov and appoint Gostev is quite strong and inspires some optimism, “she said.
Kalashnikov's resignation occurred against the backdrop of a torture scandal in Russian colonies. Earlier in November, the human rights project Gulagu.net showed footage of prisoners being bullied at the Federal Penitentiary Service hospital and in the Saratov region.