Reports of Russian police forcing slave labour to be investigated

A magazine report about illegal immigrants being forced to work without pay by Russian police forces will be investigated, said a spokesman for the Russian Interior Ministry reported broadcaster Echo Moskvy Monday.

The news comes against the backdrop of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's efforts to purge corrupt police officials, forcing the resignation of 20 high-ranking officers, including two deputy ministers, in the last week, DPA reported.

The newest allegations follow a report in the magazine The New Times, which alleged that the special police force OMON had forced the illegal foreign workers to labour in slave-like conditions, at times performing work at the home of a deputy minister.

According to the magazine, the foreigners were forced to erect fences, dig ditches and clean toilets. Witnesses interviewed for the article also reported that workers had received beatings from police forces for "training purposes." The OMON has denied the charges.

The New Times, in early February, had already reported about "mafia-like" structures at the OMON.

In a comment broadcast by Echo Moskvy, New Times editor Yevgeniya Albaz demanded "appropriate consequences." Medvedev has also called for harsh punishments for government officials who abuse their offices.