A man died in Russia’s Sakha Republic after a radiator to which police handcuffed him burst, according to a statement posted by Russia’s Investigative Committee on Wednesday.
Activists launched a campaign against police brutality and prison torture after several high-profile cases earlier this year. A 2017 poll found that a quarter of Russians say they have witnessed or experienced beatings carried out by police or medical staff.
The 47-year-old victim had been detained by a policeman on ‘minor hooliganism’ charges on the evening of Oct. 22 and handcuffed to a heating radiator in the local administration building, where the officer left him overnight.
The man was found dead on the following morning due to thermal shock after the radiator pipe reportedly exploded, according to preliminary data.
The local branch of the Investigative Committee has launched a probe into the incident.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
