The Russian Government failed to prevent or suppress the bloody terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall. But another crime of the regime is already in evidence: a repressive campaign of intimidation is unfolding in hindsight. Cruel torture of suspects with public demonstration of torture has become an unprecedented element of Putin's blood-based PR campaign
In violation of laws and official instructions, without any operational need, suspects are subjected to inhuman violence. Beatings, self-mutilation, grievous injuries, mocking humiliation are also prohibited against undoubted criminals. Even the criminal world considers this unacceptable "lawlessness" and punishes such behavior. Russian officials and state law enforcers torture people whose guilt has not yet been proven, record and publish videos.
The country is deliberately creating an atmosphere of reckless and unpunished atrocity.
The goals are obvious: the removal of the last restrictions on state violence, general intimidation, preparation of punitive bodies for mass terror, legalization of torture, and political executions. Putin's regime equates any opposition speeches with "terrorism." Looking at the videos, one can imagine what fate awaits dissenters.
The last vestiges of legal order in Russia are being demonstrably dismantled. Articles 117 ("torture") and 286 ("abuse of power") of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation have been violated. Russia's international obligations - first of all, the 1984 UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment - have been trampled once again. The Putin regime is overstepping all boundaries and proudly flaunting total inhumanity.
Russian volunteer formations and guerrilla groups will surely take this into account in their actions. The executioner crimes of Putin's punishers will not go unpunished.
It would be natural for international bodies to intervene. Violation of the Convention against Torture, adopted by the UN General Assembly resolution № 29/46 of 10.12.1984, as well as the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and its Protocols of 1987, ratified by the Russian Federation on 28.03.1998, implies a tough reaction of the United Nations as a whole and the UN member states. We take for granted at least the following measures:
- Toughening of international sanctions against the RF as a state that carries out torture, inhuman and degrading treatment of suspects and defendants on a systematic basis;
- Exclusion of the Russian Federation from international organizations that recognize international acts on the prohibition of torture;
- categorically excluding the forced extradition of Russian citizens to the Russian Federation, no matter what they are accused of;
- imposition of personal sanctions against Russian officials, both those directly carrying out torture, inhuman and degrading treatment of detainees and the heads of the relevant agencies.
Not having (yet?) irrefutable evidence, we should refrain from accusing the Russian Government of organizing a mass murder on March 22, 2024. But obvious crimes against humanity - including torture, specifically mentioned in the Rome Statute - should not go without consequences. We are convinced that the international community will find the strength to defend its principles and values.