The State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) has completed a pre-trial investigation against the head of one of the regional TCCs in the Carpathian region and three of his subordinates, who are accused of beating and torturing men during a military medical commission (MMC). The State Bureau of Investigation reported this on May 18.
According to the bureau, the investigation began after complaints from citizens, appeals from people's deputies and publications in the media about possible beatings, torture and extortion of money in one of the Carpathian shopping centers. After the publicity, other applicants began to contact law enforcement officers.
Investigators have identified at least two episodes of alleged violence.
According to law enforcement officers, in one of the cases, a man was beaten after he refused to undergo fluorography.
“The victim was taken into the hospital corridor, where one of the defendants held him down, and the other beat him on the head with a metal tag clenched in his fist. After that, another serviceman hit the man several times in the liver area, trying to intimidate him and force him to undergo an examination. Subsequently, he was brought to the TCC premises, where they continued to beat him,” the bureau revealed details.
According to law enforcement officials, as a result of the beating, the man suffered a broken rib and other injuries.
In another episode, investigators say, three TCC employees forcibly restrained a man while the manager struck him.
According to law enforcement officers, the victim was also punched and kicked, stripped and left lying on the concrete floor. Tear gas was allegedly used during the beating.
“Due to his injuries, the man underwent a complex operation to remove one of his organs,” the State Bureau of Investigation added.
The actions of the accused were qualified under Part 3 of Art. 127 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (torture committed by a state representative). At the moment, all four are in custody without bail.
