A US Air Force veteran, Hubbard taught English overseas before retiring to Cyprus in 2012. He later moved to Ukraine, where he remained after a relationship ended. (Moscow City Court Press Service via AP, File)
\n\nAmerican teacher Stephen Hubbard, who was released from a Russian prison this week after more than four years in detention, suffered severe physical abuse, electric shocks and sexual assault while behind bars, according to a former inmate who was imprisoned alongside him.
\n\nIhor Shishko, a Ukrainian former prisoner who shared a jail with Hubbard in Russia’s Bryansk region, told The Times that guards subjected the 74-year-old retired teacher from Michigan to repeated abuse because of his American nationality.
\n\n“They treated us worse than animals,” Shishko said, describing the conditions inside the prison.
\n\nAccording to Shishko, Hubbard was forced to crawl on the floor like a dog, leaving his knees badly scraped. Shishko said he had to bandage Hubbard’s injured knees after his skin was rubbed away.
\n\nThe former inmate also alleged that Hubbard endured electric shocks and sexual abuse, including inappropriate touching by prison guards. Shishko claimed the abuse was intended to humiliate prisoners and demonstrate hostility towards foreigners.
\n\nHe said guards would specifically ask…
Original source: https://www.timesnownews.com/world
