In the aftermath of a tragic mass shooting in Russia, where 145 people lost their lives, the situation seems to be spiraling into a more severe rule under President Vladimir Putin. Video and photos depict the suspects being brutalized by Russian security forces, yet there has been no official reprimand. The attack has led to calls for harsh measures, including sending hit squads to assassinate Ukrainian officials and reinstating the death penalty.
Despite Ukraine's denials and a claim of responsibility from an Islamic State group offshoot, Putin has linked the attack to Ukraine and vowed to hunt down the masterminds. One of his top officials, Dmitry Medvedev, even suggested deploying hit men to kill Ukrainian leaders in Kyiv or elsewhere if Ukrainian involvement is proven.
The suspects, all citizens of Tajikistan, were detained near the Ukrainian border. However, the authenticity of their video confessions, released by Russian news outlets, has been questioned due to signs of severe beatings and other maltreatment they showed in court.
The response from Russian authorities, including the lack of condemnation for the brutal treatment of suspects, has raised concerns about the direction of the country. Some Kremlin-connected figures have called for extrajudicial killings of Ukrainian officials and reinstating the death penalty, which has been suspended since 1996.
While there are voices of opposition to these measures, the overall atmosphere suggests a growing tolerance for harsh actions and a potential return to a more authoritarian era. The situation has sparked fears of a new era of repression and state terror, reminiscent of darker times in Russian history.
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