Russian Soldier Sentenced In Hazing Case

"[The court rules] to sentence Aleksandr Sivyakov definitively, by partially combining measures of punishment applicable to him, to four years of imprisonment at a general-security correctional colony, while barring him from holding commanding positions in the Russian armed forces for the period of three years and stripping him of the rank of junior sergeant in accordance with Article 48 of the Russian Criminal Code," Chelyabinsk Military Court Chairman Yury Shatsky said.

Andrei Sychyov, a 19-year-old conscript, had his legs and genitals amputated after senior servicemen at the tank academy in Chelyabinsk, in western Siberia, beat and tortured him over the New Year's holiday.

The incident caused outrage across Russia.

(Interfax, Reuters, AP)

Russia's Democratic Development

Demonstrators speak with local politicians in Butovo about the destruction of a local forest in July 2006 (RFE/RL)

IS RUSSIAN DEMOCRACY MANAGING? Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Western powers seek to pressure Russia under the pretext of concern over its democratic development. He has said Russia is ready to listen to "well-intentioned criticism," but will not allow anyone to interfere in its internal affairs. The Kremlin has been criticized for stifling political oppostion, increasing central control over the media, and cracking down on the work on nongovernmental organizations.

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