80% of former detainees interviewed by MIHR experienced violence in Russia – infographic

The Media Initiative for Human Rights is conducting a large-scale study of how Russians treat Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians. During one of the stages, 72 former prisoners held by Russia were interviewed. Among them are 14 civilians and 58 military.

Prisoners are constantly being moved from one place of detention to another to hide their traces. A person can visit six different colonies, detention centers, or prisons during their detention.

This time, MHRC analyzed the testimonies of former prisoners from three Russian detention centers: 32 were held in Kursk SIZO #1, 25 in Taganrog SIZO #2, and 15 in Novozibkovsk SIZO #2.

80% of respondents said they had been subjected to violence, and 21% said they had witnessed the deaths of other prisoners. 11% of the released persons stated that their limbs were broken in captivity.

The study demonstrates similar practices of treatment of Ukrainian prisoners in all three of these Russian SIZOs. However, former prisoners and civilian detainees from other SIZOs, colonies, and prisons give similar testimonies.

All of this points to a coordinated systemic policy of Russia to commit war crimes and other international crimes against Ukrainians and their representatives.

The systematic, large-scale, politically motivated violation of the rights of Ukrainian prisoners of war and illegally detained civilians can be considered a crime against humanity.

This publication was compiled with the support of the International Renaissance Foundation. It’s content is the exclusive responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily reflect the views of the International Renaissance Foundation