Artem Dmytruk, a member of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, who was put on the international wanted list after fleeing to the UK, has made a sensational statement. According to him, in March 2022 he was a victim of torture by employees of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).
He published a video with the story on his YouTube channel.
According to the MP, on March 4, 2022, he and his assistants were kidnapped by SBU officers after an argument at a checkpoint where he was on duty as part of the territorial defense. Dmytruk claims that they put a bag on him, wrapped his head in tape, and brutally beat him with rifle butts, kicks, and punches.
“I lost consciousness, and when I came to, I was lying on the floor of the bus,” he says.
Later, he was brought to the basement, where, according to Dmytruk, they began interrogating him on charges of treason and collaboration with Russian special services.
“I was beaten, trampled, my fingers were twisted. I lost consciousness several times. After that, they allegedly took me to be thrown off the roof and even simulated a shooting,” he said.
Dmytruk also claims that he was forced to record a video in which he apologizes for criticizing President Volodymyr Zelensky, the head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak, and other government officials.
“They forced me to speak loudly and clearly, like on TV. Then they ordered me to say something about Trukhanov and the city council, that I would no longer come to meetings,” he added.
To confirm his words, Dmytruk showed photos showing numerous hematomas, swelling, a broken nose, and other facial injuries.
The published photo of Dmytruk, according to him, after being tortured in the SBU basement. Photo: Screenshot
At the time of publication, the Security Service of Ukraine had not commented on Dmytruk's statements.
Dmytruk claims that after the torture, he was taken out of the SBU building and left in the nearest parking lot, threatening to die if he disclosed the story.
