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Bon Jovi, AC/DC, ABBA. They all have at least two things in common: all three bands are among the big hits of the 1970s and 1980s – and all three are used as torture methods in Russian prisons. I’m sorry, what?
Rock hits in an endless loop
In one of Russia’s strictest prisons, the Kapotnya-7 prison, there is a playlist of songs that are played to inmates over loudspeakers every morning, Newsweek reports.
One political prisoner currently held in Kapotnya is the head of the Russian Election Observatory, Grigory Melkonyants. On his Telegram account, which is run by acquaintances, he says: “This playlist is repeated day after day, month after month. It is heard every morning by thousands of Russians awaiting trial, including political prisoners.”
Bon Jovi’s hits apparently include “One Wild Night” and “It’s My Life”, the latter of which was used by the band itself in support of Ukraine’s efforts to defend itself against Russian forces.
Music and electric shocks as torture
But the megahits are also used for torture in the prison called The Dark Side in Russian-occupied Donetsk. This was said by British soldier Shaun Pinner (49), who was captured in the battle for Mariupol last autumn.
Pinner was captured by Russian separatists during the Battle of Mariupol. ‘I was surrounded by Russian separatists. They stripped me of my clothes, stabbed me in the thigh for no reason and beat me to death for 20 minutes.” Electric shocks were also part of the torture.
In his cell he then experienced a completely different kind of torture: music from the heavy metal band Slipknot and music from ABBA, 24 hours a day in an endless loop. “I never want to hear another ABBA song again,” says Pinner. There was also constant physical violence. Now he is back in England with his family. (chs/jmh)
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
