In the Kaliningrad region, officials from the Federal Customs Service, together with police and National Guard personnel, faced misconduct allegations. The information emerged from the press office of the Investigative Committee for the District Investigation Department, which is handling the case.
According to the investigation, on March 28 of this year, the head of the operational search office of the Kaliningrad Regional Customs, along with two Russian Guard officers and two employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, conducted searches at the homes of seven local residents. The security forces allegedly sought to establish that the residents illegally possessed tobacco products intended for sale.
The inquiry alleges that law enforcement officers used violence during the searches, including the use of stun devices, to coerce confessions. It is claimed that several detainees were subjected to beatings and were transported to the Moskovsky district headquarters of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Kaliningrad, where they were again subjected to physical abuse. The victims have reported injuries and provided statements to investigators regarding the mistreatment.
All current defendants in the torture case remain in custody, and they have denied the charges against them. The investigation into the allegations continues as authorities gather additional evidence and testimony to establish the veracity of the claims and to determine the accountability of those involved.
Earlier reports indicated that residents of Ulyanovsk were accused of torturing a student suspect in the context of a dispute over alleged cryptocurrency theft. This episode underscores ongoing concerns about alleged abuses of power among law enforcement officials and the broader challenges involved in ensuring lawful conduct during criminal investigations. The responsible authorities have pledged transparency as the case progresses and have committed to a thorough review of all procedural actions involved in the incidents, with an aim to protect the rights of all individuals involved. [Investigation Committee attribution]