Story By: Anastasia Smirnova, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News
Video Credit: CEN/@0nly_street_fighting8
These images show a man dragged out of his home and tied to a lamppost to be beaten by a lynch mob that accused him of being a serial rapist and an armed robber.
The incident was filmed in the city of Arkhangelsk in the north-western Russian region of Arkhangelsk Oblast and the footage of the man tied to the lamppost has been viewed over 85,000 times.
The a 35-year-old victim whose name has not been disclosed, was accused of raping three women and following children with a knife in his hand as well as robbery, according to local media.
In the footage, the tied suspect denies the angry mob’s allegations.
Reports said the incident started when three residents broke into the man’s flat and dragged him outside.
The alleged rapist was then taken to the city centre on the bonnet of a car, according to local media.
Afterwards, the angry mob reportedly beat him up before tying him to the lamppost.
Local media said that some mob members were later arrested and taken to the police station where they did not deny their involvement, explaining to the cops that someone had to “take care of a maniac who has committed a number of crimes”.
According to reports, the police have launched an investigation into the lynch mob’s actions.
It is currently unclear whether they are looking into the residents’ allegations against the 35-year-old man.
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