Ombudswoman: detained Tornado battalion members have bodily injuries

According to the ombudswoman’s press service, the detainee’s lawyer requested her help after the detainees were allegedly beaten during and after they were apprehended.

Lutkovska visited a specialized facility where the detainees were held and spoke with them. A forensic expert also examined them.

“During the examination, bodily injuries of various severities were registered on some of the detainees. According to them, the injuries were inflicted during their apprehension. It’s worth noting that the health of detained soldiers of Tornado battalion is satisfactory, there were no complaints on the incarceration conditions except for a request from one of them to help him get examined by a medical specialist and be put on necessary medication,” the press service reported.

Interior Minister of Ukraine Arsen Avakov said on June 18 that he had signed a decree dissolving the battalion.

Ukrainian Deputy Prosecutor General and Chief Military Prosecutor Anatoly Matios said the chief military prosecutor’s office had investigated serious crimes allegedly committed by Tornado soldiers in the military operation area since March, and that some of the suspects had numerous previous convictions.

Tornado soldiers obstructed investigative procedures on June 18, and police tried to settle the conflict. The Interior Ministry said police would not storm the Tornado base. Matios said on June 19 that the base in the Luhansk region, where Tornado soldiers had barricaded themselves, had been mined. An Interior Ministry commission that arrived in Severodonetsk, Luhansk region, assured the members of the dissolved battalion that those of them who did not commit crimes would have the opportunity to serve with other units if they wished so.