VLADIVOSTOK. Nov 21 (Interfax-AVN) - Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Viktor Fyodorov told Interfax-AVN that at the present time the office of the fleet's military prosecutor was investigating the case of two officers from the 390 Marine Regiment.
"Indictments have been brought against a lieutenant and a captain from a marine unit, deployed in the village of Slavyanka outside Vladivostok. Investigators are currently investigating the case and have already found proof, confirming the indictments," Fyodorov said on Tuesday.
He also noted that two more officers from the same unit faced the same hazing charges, but that they were on vacation and would be prosecuted when they got back.
"The culprits will be punished. Certain media reports on hazing in the marine unit have been confirmed," Fyodorov said.
He emphasized: "All those guilty will face punishment, including criminal liability. The unit is in for personnel reshuffling."
Chairman of the Maritime Territory Organization of the All-Russian Servicemen Trade Union Yury Tarlavin listed the following three reasons for hazing in the 390th Marine Regiment.
"First and foremost, the Russian Armed Forces in general, and elite marine units in particular have lost Soviet combat training traditions. While a Soviet warrior spent his time undergoing fire, tactical, marshal arts, and physical training, now a Liverpool kiss, advocated by Hollywood movies, has become the most important thing," Tarlavin said.
He said that the lack of legal measures against subordinate personnel, such as guardhouses, was the second reason for hazing. In this light, Tarlavin expressed his hope that guardhouses would be restored in the Russian Armed Forces in 2007 and would help officers enforce strict discipline.
The third reason consisted in the lack of due training of junior officers proper, he said.