Boxer Claims Police Assault During Detention in Petropavlovsk

Boxer Damir Alkeshev, known by the nickname “The Butcher,” described how he was detained on the street and allegedly assaulted by police officers. An investigation has been launched, Orda.kz reports.

According to Alkeshev, officers from the Organized Crime Control Department (UBOP) and special forces assaulted him during his arrest on November 7 at around 6:30 p.m., near the intersection of Zavodskaya and Auezova Streets.

He said no explanation was given for his detention and that he was beaten both on the street and later at the police station.

They wanted to throw me in the toilet, forced me to testify, threatened me with arrest, and threatened to plant drugs on me. Fearing for my freedom and further assault, I signed documents under pressure from the police. Then they took me to the hospital, where they examined my injuries and forced me to write a statement claiming I'd fallen on my own. Now my condition is worsening — I'm dizzy, and my vision is sometimes blurred. If anything happens to me, please blame the police, particularly the Organized Crime Control Department and the special forces, he stated on his Instagram.

Police later stated that Alkeshev was detained in connection with a hooliganism case that occurred earlier that evening at an entertainment venue.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, a 22-year-old local resident was arrested after resisting police.

The establishment's security guard, a boxer, assaulted one of the patrons. A criminal case has been opened. The suspect has been detained. He resisted and did not comply with police orders. The man is currently in the hospital. After treatment, he will be transferred to a temporary detention facility. A guard is on duty outside the ward to prevent escape. The entertainment establishment has been ordered to correct the violations that led to the incident,  the North Kazakhstan Region Police Department reported.

Following Alkeshev’s allegations of abuse by UBOP and special forces officers, the police announced that an internal investigation had been initiated.

The department said it would “comprehensively examine the circumstances” and make a decision based on the findings.

Original Author: Alexandra Mokhireva