Justice Under Torture: Russian police use brutal tactics from Soviet era

Newsday ^ | October 27, 1999 | Michael Slackman

[GodGunsGuts]

Maxim Podsvirov screamed as each blow surged through his head and neck like a jolt of electricity. For what seemed like an eternity, the detective pounded away until Podsvirov's ears were black and blood-stained, his nose swollen and blue, his eyes glassy and red from fever.

[GodGunsGuts]

Looks like the Soviet/Russian police state was still intact as of 1999. Does anyone know if this is still going on. What a tragic situation for the citizens of Russia!!!

[GodGunsGuts]

ping!

[spanalot]

""Torture is a widespread phenomenon here," said Sergei Pashin,"

Unfortunately the Russians continue their several hundred year history of moral bankruptcy.

Such a shame - they had a chance to turn it around in the 90's

[spanalot]

IBTRWC!!

[MrBambaLaMamba]

It's the Hildabeast's fault.

[AndrewB]

But did they put panties on their heads? Or make them form human pyramids? Even the ruskies are not so depraved...

[lonestar67]

There must be a mistake here.

Only Americans engage in torture. All other governments are benign and well intended.

[WoofDog123]

"Each year, about one of every six Russians are detained in a system where police rely on torture as their primary investigative tool. According to interviews with prosecutors, current and former police officers, members of the judiciary and human rights activists, torture is commonplace, even defended in official circles. "

is this accurate? Is one out of 6 russians detained every year? is this liberal use of the word 'detained'?

[Hilltop]

"Widespread phenomenon" is an oxymoron.

Who is the author of this sentence, I would not have them working for me.

[billybudd]

This isn't possible. Only America tortures prisoners.

[SkyPilot]

The Russian defenders will be on this thread any minute saying we have it all wrong, and there is no brutally there.

[CWOJackson]

I wonder how many times people have told me how wonderful Putin is and how changed the Soviet Union...oops, Russia is.

[GodGunsGuts]

"IBTRWC!!"

???

[GodGunsGuts]

"is this accurate? Is one out of 6 russians detained every year? is this liberal use of the word 'detained'?"

Sound like a hell of alot of random shakedowns to let the citizens know whose in charge. I have also heard (I stress...only heard) that these shakedowns are also used as an indirect form of taxation.

[marron]

For what its worth, the article was written in 1999 and Putin was elected in 2000. I think he may have been appointed acting prime minister about the time the article was written.

[Mind-numbed Robot]

"Widespread phenomenon" is an oxymoron.

I suggest you consult your dictionary.

Who is the author of this sentence, I would not have them working for me.

Is connecting two sentences with a comma good grammar?

[jern]

how is that different from Bush administration policy?

[familyop]

"Another favored technique, called "crucifixion," involves the use of a metal bed frame, handcuffs and electricity."

...fitting for the re-expansion of the Mother Church of Russia.

[familyop]

"Each year, about one of every six Russians are detained in a system where police rely on torture as their primary investigative tool."

I didn't know that it is still that commonplace.

[familyop]

"'Widespread phenomenon' is an oxymoron."

It is not always an oxymoron. Did you try looking for phenomenon in a dictionary?

"Who is the author of this sentence, I would not have them working for me."

Have you worked as an editor? Torture is widespread in Russia and a phenomenon, in that it is a commonly known physical occurrence there but strange to people in western culture.