Saratov court finds recruits from Northern Caucasus guilty of hazing

The Saratov Garrison Court has found regular soldiers enlisted from North Ossetia, Dagestan and Kabardino-Balkaria guilty of abusing their fellow-servicemen and sentenced each of them to three years in prison; however, they refused to plead guilty and have already appealed against the verdict.

The incident that caused the trial happened in 2010 in one of the military units of the Saratov Region. According to the investigation, six soldiers – three from North Ossetia, two from Dagestan and one from Kabardino-Balkaria – made up a grouping and for three days "goofed on their fellow-soldiers."

According to inspectors, at a morning check several other soldiers received remarks in relation to their hairdo.

"Having learnt about those remarks, the above six soldiers forced those who received remarks to a service room; forced them to sit on stools; and, by applying violence to them, punching them on the face and stomach, shaved their heads with an electric shaver in such a manner that, if they stood in a row, the letters shaved on their heads formed the word 'Kavkaz' with an exclamation mark," said Alexei Belavin, assistant judge of the Pre-Volga District Military Court.

The abusers photographed their actions; however, the photos were made public. According to investigators, the defendants also extorted money from their fellow-soldiers, up to 10,000 roubles, the Samara-based TV Company "Terra" reports.

The Garrison Court has sentenced each of the defendants to three years in prison; however, they appeal against the verdict to the higher instance. The Pre-Volga Military District Court will consider the appeal on September 5, according to the portal "63.ru".