Liudmyla Huseinova, a 64-year-old Ukrainian, was abducted in 2019 by Russian-backed separatists and endured torture in a secret detention center in Ukraine. Her harrowing account sheds light on the systematic abuse occurring in these facilities, as revealed by a BBC investigation.
Systematic Abuse in Russian-Occupied Prisons
The UN's human rights office has declared that torture and ill-treatment of civilians in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine is "systematic and widespread." Survivors describe horrific experiences, including beatings, electric shocks, and sexual violence. The international community has condemned these actions, yet the Kremlin dismisses such allegations as "groundless lies."
According to Ukrainian authorities, more than 16,000 civilians have been captured or gone missing since the full-scale invasion began in 2022. Many of these cases date back to 2014, following Russia's annexation of Crimea. Liudmyla's ordeal began during this period, as she was accused of espionage for aiding Ukrainian forces.
Liudmyla's Harrowing Experience
Liudmyla was taken to the Izolyatsia detention center, which was previously an art gallery. She recalls her initial days filled with screams from fellow detainees, stating, "I have never heard such terrible screams before." The conditions were brutal; prisoners were forced to stand for long hours under constant surveillance and harsh lighting.
