Another Pskov paratrooper receives notice of suspicion in absentia for torturing a civilian in Bucha

A Russian serviceman accused of torturing a civilian during the occupation of the Kyiv Region (Oblast) in 2022 has been served a notice of suspicion in absentia for violating the laws and customs of war, the Book of Executioners of the Ukrainian People project reported.

Zaur Melikov. Photo published by Book of Executioners of the Ukrainian People

The suspect is Zaur Melikov, a serviceman of the 234th Air Assault Regiment of the 76th Air Assault Division of the Russian Armed Forces Airborne Troops.

Investigators stated that on 8 March 2022, Russian military personnel stopped a civilian to check his mobile phone at a checkpoint near the intersection of Nove Shose and Vokzalna streets in Bucha. The man was first beaten in a nearby house, and later, the suspect arrived at the scene as part of a group of Russians.

“The victim was untied and led to the gates, where Melikov, motivated by hatred towards Ukrainian citizens, struck the man in the face with an assault rifle, after which he shoved the barrel of the weapon into his mouth and threatened to shoot him,” the project authors stated, citing the notice of suspicion.

Melikov’s actions were qualified as cruel treatment of civilians.

Related: Three Russian servicemen charged in absentia with rape and abuse of civilians under occupation in the Luhansk region

Earlier, ZMINA reported in Ukrainian that two Russian servicemen were recently tried in absentia for abusing civilians and using “human shields” during the occupation of the Kyiv Oblast.

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