A freed British prisoner of warfare who was held by Russian-backed separatists has instructed Sky News how he was tortured over a number of days.
John Harding stated he was used as a “punching bag” by the guards in a holding facility within the self-declared Donetsk People’s Republic in jap Ukraine.
The centre was run by the MGB, which he stated was the equal of Russia’s FSB, previously the KGB.
Thousands of Russians held over mobilisation protests – warfare newest updates
He stated he was held there for about 9 days in a small cell about 4ft by 6ft, between being taken to the prosecutor’s workplace for questioning.
Mr Harding was one in all 5 Britons freed in latest days in a prisoner swap with Russia. He is now again within the UK after his launch with the assistance of the Ukrainians and the Saudis.
Mr Harding had been in Ukraine instructing its troopers the right way to use first assist kits.
When the Russians crossed the border within the February invasion, they have been close to his base and he ended up within the Azovstal metal complicated, the place he and his colleagues fled as a result of it was an excellent defensive place with underground tunnels.
They have been surrounded after the location was besieged by Russian forces and famously held on the market for a lot of weeks earlier than surrendering in May resulting from working very low on ammunition.
He stated he was initially taken to a prisoner of warfare camp for about 4 days earlier than being transported to the holding facility the place he suffered days of torture.
Mr Harding stated he suffered a fractured sternum, injury to his coccyx, damaged ribs and neurological injury to his hand within the holding centre in Donetsk.
He stated he was crushed up about 5 to 6 occasions “for fun”.
“Every time we left for the prosecutor’s office we got beaten up.”
In the worst assault, which lasted about half-hour, he stated he was handcuffed together with his arms behind his again and was pushed to the ground.
He stated no less than 4 guards kicked him within the chest, ribs, kidneys and within the face.
“One man stood on my hips and jumped up and down,” he stated.
He added: “I think I used to quite annoy the guards because I tend not to scream when I’m beaten and I think that annoyed them.”
Mr Harding admitted he feared for his life a number of occasions.
“I had a feeling… if they kicked you to death they wouldn’t be that bothered. I thought it was heading that way.
“If you will be killed finest to get it over with. They loved it, the tormentors.”
He said he was given “little or no meals and water” and never allowed any train throughout his time there.
The cell had a light-weight and no home windows so he by no means knew what time of day it was.
Mr Harding stated after about 9 days in detention he was moved to a civilian jail the place he was saved for months till his launch.
He stated the remedy within the jail was not as dangerous as that which he confronted within the detention centre.
Source: information.sky.com”