Freed US citizen Stephen Hubbard was tortured in Russian jail, former Ukrainian prisoners say

Stephen Hubbard, a US citizen, was recently freed from a Russian prison after enduring four years of alleged torture and humiliation. Former Ukrainian prisoners who were held alongside him have recounted harrowing details of his treatment at the hands of Russian guards.

Dmytro Khyliuk, who first met Hubbard at the Novozybkov prison in September 2022, described how guards would taunt Hubbard, asking, "in which cell is the American?" and using obscene language. Khyliuk noted that Hubbard was subjected to mockery and forced to learn the Russian language, sing the national anthem, and memorize prison rules, which he could not read.

Ihor Shyshko, another former prisoner, recalled that Hubbard's nationality made him a target for abuse. "They beat him on the legs, on the back, on the arms," Shyshko said. He alleged that Hubbard was also subjected to sexual humiliation and abuse for the entertainment of the prison staff.

Hubbard was captured in April 2022 during the Russian occupation of Izyum, where he was living with his Ukrainian partner. He was accused of serving in Ukraine's armed forces and was sentenced to six years and ten months in a Moscow trial. Both Khyliuk and Shyshko corroborated claims made by Hubbard's family regarding the torture he endured.