Geneva: On Thursday, a UN expert expressed concern over reports of widespread torture carried out by Russian military personnel in Ukraine, claiming that this indicated "state-endorsed" abuse.
Both Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war, according to Alice Jill Edwards, the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, who also noted that she had written to Moscow about the matter.
She cited reports and testimonies to support her claim that torture was routinely used to obtain intelligence, coerce confessions, or punish individuals who had previously supported or participated in the Ukrainian armed forces.
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"The alleged practises include electric shocks, beatings, hooding, mock executions, and other threats of death," she said in a statement.
If proven, they might also constitute a pattern of state-approved torture.
The statement said that after Moscow invaded Ukraine in February of last year, those who were allegedly tortured were frequently held in "grossly inadequate conditions" in facilities run by Russian forces inside Ukraine.
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It described how the alleged torture had caused people to experience hallucinations, organ damage, bone fractures and cracks, and strokes.
Edwards claimed that she and other UN rights experts had written to Moscow to express their worries.
The consistency and methods of the alleged torture, she claimed in the letter, "suggest a level of coordination, planning, and organisation, as well as the direct authorization, deliberate policy, or official tolerance from superior authorities."
The UN Human Rights Council has appointed independent rights experts like Edwards and other special rapporteurs, but they do not speak for the UN.
Edwards stated that "torture is a war crime and the systematic or pervasive use of torture constitutes a crime against humanity."
"Obeying a higher order or policy directive cannot be used as an excuse for torturing, and anyone found to be involved should be swiftly investigated and brought to justice by impartial authorities."
Later this year, Edwards said, she intended to travel to Ukraine on a fact-finding mission.
The number of reports of torture and other inhumane treatment is increasing, according to Edwards, as the war continues.
"I firmly request that responsible authorities make sure that civilians and prisoners of war are always protected and treated humanely."
