Resident of Krasnodar claims beating by Cossacks

In the Komsomolsky Microdistrict of Krasnodar, Vadim Pashaev, 35, a local resident, was beaten. According to his story, he was beaten up by people in Cossack uniform, after he refused to produce his documents to them in the absence of a policeman.

The incident occurred at about 2:00 a.m. at night on April 4, when Pashaev went to his home in the private sector of the Komsomolsky Microdistrict.

"I was approached by three men – two were in Cossack uniform and one in civilian clothes. Without presenting themselves, they were asked to present documents. I reached into my pocket, but said at once that I was not obliged to do this, since there was no policeman in uniform among them. At this point one of the Cossacks hit me violently in the face with a lantern that was in his hand," Vadim Pashaev told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

"If the man in civilian clothes, who asked for my passport, were in the uniform and with his ID, I would have easily got out and shown my passport," he said.

"They hit him with a lantern diagonally from temple to chin; and from this unexpected blow he fell down and lost consciousness. The assailants turned and went away leaving him bleeding. He came home all in blood," said Galina Pashaeva, the victim's mother.

She called an ambulance, which transported Vadim to the Krasnodar Territorial Hospital, where doctors diagnosed a concussion, fractured cheekbone and nose, and cracks in the skull. At present, the young man is waiting for two surgeries.