Astrakhan: two militiamen suspected of beating a detainee released on bail

In Astrakhan, the Kirov Regional Court has released on bail two employees of the city UVD (Interior Department) suspected of beating a confession out of a citizen. Their four colleagues are under recognizance not to leave.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that in the opinion of the inquiry, on January 11, 2010, two operative agents of Astrakhan UVD beat a detained man of 41. Their two colleagues found "proofs" of his offence, while their boss did everything to hide the fact of beating. One more operative worker saw the beating, but kept silent.

The "Kommersant" newspaper writes that the detainee was kept for another day at the facility, then, he returned home and through his wife sent an application to the Prosecutor's Office about the incident. Now the victim, according to the paper, hides in one of hired apartments of Astrakhan, "afraid of the revenge of militiamen."

According to Igor Kuznetsov, head of the investigatory division of the Kirov District of Astrakhan, the court has released the detained militiamen on the bail of 100,000 roubles each, although the investigation petitioned for keeping them in custody.

Four more militiamen, suspected of forgery and negligence, are under recognizance not to leave, the "Gazeta.Ru" writes.

So far, there are no comments of the suspects on the fact of beating.