Cruel Torture Using Electric Shock Devices

Russian authorities have sparked controversy after videos showing the brutal torture of suspects arrested for the Moscow concert hall shooting and arson terror attack were released.

On the 24th (local time), the British Daily Mail and others reported that pro-Russian Telegram and social media channels posted videos showing Russian military personnel beating and torturing four male suspects arrested the previous day in connection with the Moscow terror attack, using electric shock devices and hammers.

On the 24th (local time), terror suspect Saidakrami Rachabalizoda appeared in a Russian court.
[Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

In the video, one of the suspects, Shamsidin Fariduni (25), was seen lying on the floor with his pants pulled down and an electric shock device attached to his genitals, foaming at the mouth. In another video, suspect Saidakrami Rachabalizoda (30) was subjected to torture involving the cutting of his ears and was bleeding from his face.

When appearing in the Russian court that day, the suspects’ faces were covered with bruises and wounds that appeared to be torture marks. Rachabalizoda, who had his ears cut, had a large bandage where one ear used to be. Suspects Muhammadsobir Faizov (19) and Dilerjon Mirzoyev (32), who appeared alongside them, also showed signs of being beaten. Faizov appeared in court in a wheelchair, keeping his eyes closed throughout the interrogation.

The torture videos and photos were released through social media channels closely linked to Russian military authorities. This led to suspicions that the authorities deliberately publicized the torture scenes. However, human rights groups have criticized the explicit torture footage as unnecessary cruelty.

On the 24th (local time), terrorism suspect Muhammad Sobir Faizov appeared in a Russian court.
[Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

Some have suggested that Russian President Vladimir Putin might be behind this terror attack. The Russian human rights organization Gulagu.net, which has criticized the Putin regime’s use of torture, stated, "This torture was clearly ordered by President Putin. If there is conclusive evidence that these individuals are the culprits, why would the authorities torture them? This is to extract testimony favorable to President Putin and the authorities."

Exiled Russian opposition journalist Dmitry Kolezev told the Daily Mail, "Russian authorities are proud of the torture and are deliberately leaking it. There is no doubt that after such torture, these suspects will produce false confessions claiming they killed people under the orders of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky."

All suspects who appeared in court that day were charged with collective terrorism, and if found guilty, they could face life imprisonment. All four suspects have been confirmed to be Tajikistani nationals. Among them, Mirzoyev, Rachabalizoda, and Fariduni reportedly admitted to the charges in court. The Russian court ordered pretrial detention for two months until May 22 for these suspects.