Polyakova: Russian soldiers in South Ossetia are beaten not only by senior conscripts but also by officers

Ella Polyakova, chair of the human rights organization "Soldier's Mothers of St Petersburg", told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that regular soldiers, who take their service in South Ossetia, are in "brutal conditions" there. According to her story, soldiers in South Ossetia are beaten not only by senior conscripts, but also by officers.

"We're now talking to a guy who was discharged as soldier from his regular service and who was in Tskhinvali since October to the end of December 2008. He had already got used to beatings, as a result of which he became deaf in one ear. Doctors now say that he can have a crack there with the most serious consequences. But the most important - is his mental condition. He was discharged from the army, but he still feels panic fear of many things. He was discharged as a healthy person," said Ms Polyakova.

She has added that the young man who had addressed her organization took his service at the Russian southern military base in Tskhinvali, in a motor-rifle army; however, he received no travel money. "They were deceived; they were promised to pay 54 US dollars per day, but they get nothing," she said.

Now, the Committee headed by Ella Polyakova is investigating the story of the soldiers in South Ossetia, who were beaten by officers and forced to marauding.