MOSCOW. Dec 11 (Interfax-AVN) - Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov has sacked the commander of the 138th separate motor rifle brigade deployed in Kamenka (the Leningrad Military District) for the improper management of troops, where instances of hazing were discovered, a spokesperson for the Russian Defense Ministry told Interfax-AVN.
"A thorough investigation conducted by a Defense Ministry commission together with representatives from the Military Prosecutor General's Office at the 138th separate motor rifle brigade has revealed substantial flaws in the way the troops service is organized and serious discipline violations which led to a number incidents with grave consequences," the Russian Defense Ministry official said.
Failure to comply with contracts led to the sacking of three deputy commanders from the motor rifle brigade, as well as a number of commanders from subdivisions where outrageous instances of army discipline took place, the defense official said. The improper management of the subordinate personnel and unsatisfactory organization of the brigade's everyday activities have led to the 138th brigade commander being dismissed from military service.
Ella Polyakova, who chairs the Soldiers' Mothers human rights group in St. Petersburg, confirmed the resignation.
Over the past few years most reports about hazing practices were received by the organization from servicemen in Kamenka, she said.