Zaur Dadayev, one of two suspects charged with the murder of Russian opposition politician Boris Nemtsov, confessed under torture, a member of Russia’s Human Rights Council says.
Andrei Babushkin, who visited Zaur Dadayev on March 10, says he saw “numerous wounds” on his body, suggesting he had been tortured.
Zaur Dadayev said he was tied up for two days with a bag over his head.
He says he only confessed so a friend arrested with him would be freed.
“There are reasons to believe Zaur Dadayev confessed under torture,” Andrei Babushkin said after a delegation visited the suspect in prison.
Zaur Dadayev told the visitors he was mistreated in the two days after his capture in Chechnya on March 7.
He also said he confessed to make sure a friend who was arrested with him would be released.
Zaur Dadayev said he planned to tell the truth in court, but was never given a chance to speak.
The second suspect, Shagid Gubashev, says he was beaten by his interrogators and maintains his innocence.
Boris Nemtsov, a former deputy prime minister and veteran liberal politician, was shot in the back as he was walking with his girlfriend within sight of the Kremlin on February 27.
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