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Four former Russian correctional officers have been handed prison sentences for abusing detainees at a well-known Moscow detention center.
A member of Russia’s human rights council reported that the individuals, previously employed at the Matrosskaya Tishina (Seaman’s Silence) facility, engaged in the physical beating of prisoners who did not comply with rules.
According to Russian journalists, the abuse carried out by the officers was not motivated by malice. Instead, these actions were the result of a belief that their behavior was acceptable under the circumstances. The legal charges varied among the officers, with one facing four counts of abuse of power and the others charged with one count each. These crimes led to sentences of up to three and a half years in prison.
The rights group “Crew Against Torture,” which monitors human rights violations in Russia, has documented thousands of instances of abuse but was not aware of this particular case. Since its inception in 2000, the organization has been instrumental in securing convictions for government officials responsible for such abuses, underlining the ongoing challenges in addressing and curbing governmental abuse in Russia.
More on the prison:
Matrosskaya Tishina prison has been significant in Russian history. Established by Soviet authorities post-World War Two, it has housed a variety of high-profile detainees, including suspected Nazi war criminals and prominent figures like Mikhail Khodorkovsky.