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Serbia Rehab Beating Video Sparks Outrage

by Jordan Yerman | May 22, 2009 at 10:48 am

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Video of beatings taking place in a church-sponsored rehab center has sparked public outrage and a government investigation. The footage shows a young man getting beaten with a shovel and punched by another man using brass knuckes.

The facility in question does not have a license to operate.

Human Rights monitor Sasa Jankovic said Friday he will file torture charges against the rehabilitation center in southern Serbia run by Serbian Orthodox Church priests.

One former resident said the priests had offered to cure his addiction with "pleasant conversation" and beatings.

The priests at the facility have told the Serbian TV channel B92 that the beating was part of their therapy. According to a former patient of the center, one of the priests had been practicing martial arts while beating the patients.

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Yellow Guitar

at 11:53 on May 22nd, 2009

"'pleasant conversation' and beatings." !!!!!!

I smell Anthony Burgess. So does it work? As a former addict, I'd have to say on the surface I prefer the 'marry a good woman' strategy. At least most days.