Blog#7: Russian Police Arrested

Lorenzo Hall
SOC 202
3-4-2011

Blog #7: Russian Prison Officials Arrested in Assault / Rape Case

    According to sources at BBC’s online news site, seven senior court officials in Western Russia have been arrested on rape charges stemming from two separate incidents. Former head of St. Petersburg’s regional prison department, Vyacheslav Tippel, received a seven year sentence for the crimes. Five other officers were arrested in a case involving the rape and torture of a fugitive captured in Vlamir. Once captured returned to Gaaz’s hospital prison in St. Petersburg, the inmate was subject to multiple beatings and rapes. The inmates who were forced to rape the victim were all acquitted of charges. The entire incident was captured on video.
    These inhumane actions represent an ongoing universal issue of authority being used for malicious purposes. Contrarily, the arrests made represent an effort to restore justice from a critical perspective. A majority of crimes perpetuated by law enforcement officials are treated as minor incidents unworthy of inquiry. Inmates are vulnerable to a plethora of abuses, including inadequate nutrition, unreported physical harm and multiple forms of intimidation. An astonishing aspect of this account is the origin of the arrest: petty theft and absconding during prison leave. The brutal recourse after his capture is completely unjustified. Not to mention the immoral, illegal intimidation experienced by the inmates who were forced to violate the fugitive. For these extreme punishments, which qualify as “unconstitutional” by American standards, the former officers deserve longer sentences than they received. Each officer should individually charged for participating in, or condoning, each of the listed offenses. 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12652532