September 11, 2022

Excessive Restraint a New Norm?


Excessive Restraint a New Norm?
A rare uplifting photo of a Russian prison. Wikimedia Commons, Avtoloer

A recent Radio Free Europe report revealed that Russian law enforcement has begun using leg shackles for defendants under trial in the city of Samara.

According to RFE/RL, the use of leg shackles has started only recently. The trend has come about quietly: reporters in courtrooms only began noticing the use of leg shackles in the courtroom in recent weeks.

Further, the report reveals that the use of leg shackles is denied by local authorities, even as video and photo evidence says otherwise.

Typically, leg shackles are used only for extremely dangerous prisoners when being transported between institutions. The move comes as Russia continues to crack down on dissenters within its borders.

 

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