Violence and Torture More Prevalent with Unrest in Ukraine

Amanda Casanova | ChristianHeadlines.com Contributor | Updated: Jan 31, 2014

Violence and Torture More Prevalent with Unrest in Ukraine

An opposition activist in Ukraine is being treated at a hospital after being found near the Ukrainian capital with injuries he says he received while being tortured.

Dmytro Bulatov told authorities he was left to die after being beaten and crucified.

"They crucified me, so there are holes in my hands now," he said.

"Other than that - they cut off my ear, cut up my face. My whole body is a mess. You can see everything. I am alive. Thank God for this."

Since violence and protests have escalated in the last two weeks, President Viktor Yanukovych signed an amnesty for protestors if they clear occupied buildings. However, negotiations have stalled after Yanukovych went on sick leave with a respiratory infection.

Protestors are demanding that he resign. At least four have died during battles with the police and demonstrators are claiming that authorities are kidnapping and abusing them.

The Ukraine's defense ministry has called the violence “unacceptable.”

"The military and the armed forces of Ukraine have called unacceptable the violent seizure of state institutions, and interference with representatives of state and local governments to carry out their duties, noting that further escalation of the conflict threatens the territorial integrity of the state," it said in a statement.

"Laying out their civil position, servicemen and employees of Ukraine's armed forces... called on the commander-in-chief to take urgent steps within the limits of existing legislation with a view to stabilising the situation in the country and reaching consent in society."

During the conflict, Christians in the Ukraine are praying for a peaceful resolution and wearing vests that say, “Pray for Ukraine.”

"Our main message is that God is the only answer, not politics, not violence," he said. "We have to rely on Him to see us through this crisis,” Pastor Oleg Magdich told CBN News.



Violence and Torture More Prevalent with Unrest in Ukraine