Amnesty International Accuses Kiev's Neo-Nazi Military Units

Amnesty International has released a report detailing human rights violations by neo-nazi brigades which are a part of the Ukrainian military.  The report, was released Sept. 8 and is titled, “Ukraine: abuses and war crimes by the Aidar volunteer battalion in the north Lugansk region,”

Here are some quotes:  

“Members of the Aidar territorial defense battalion, operating in the north Luhansk [Lugansk] region, have been involved in widespread abuses, including abductions, unlawful detention, ill-treatment, theft, extortion, and possible executions.”

“Members of the Aidar battalion act with virtually no oversight or control, and local police are either unwilling or unable to address the abuses.”

“Some of the abuses committed by members of the Aidar battalion amount to war crimes, for which both the perpetrators and, possibly, the commanders would bear responsibility under national and international law.”

Amnesty called upon the Kiev authorities ”to bring Aidar and other volunteer battalions under effective lines of command and control, promptly investigate all allegations of abuses, and hold those responsible to account.”

“The [Aidar] fighters abducted local men, often businessmen or farmers, whom they accused of collaborating with the separatists and held in makeshift detention facilities,” continues the report. “… The victims were subjected to beatings at the moment of capture and/or during interrogations, and either had to pay ransom for their release, or had possessions, including money, cars, telephones, and other valuables seized by the battalion members.”