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

Former Ukrainian prisoners have reported that Stephen Hubbard, a US citizen recently released from a Russian jail, was subjected to severe torture during his four-year detention. They described witnessing Hubbard being beaten, humiliated, and denied medical care. Captured in April 2022, Hubbard was accused of being a mercenary and sentenced to nearly seven years in prison. His treatment was reportedly harsher due to his nationality, with guards mocking him and forcing him to learn Russian. The conditions in the prison were described as extremely harsh, with inadequate food and severe cold. Hubbard's health deteriorated significantly during his imprisonment, and he was hidden from International Red Cross visitors. The accounts of his treatment align with claims made by his family, highlighting the brutal conditions faced by prisoners in Russian custody.