On March 12, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) served a notice of suspicion under Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine to a SOBR fighter from Dagestan for torturing a civilian in the city of Polohy.
What is known about the suspect
Shamil Hajimagomedovich Makhmudov (born January 2, 1984) is a native of Makhachkala, Republic of Dagestan. He is a citizen of the russian federation. At the time of the crime, he held the position of senior operative officer of the SOBR “Yastreb-Kaspiy” (Special Rapid Response Unit) of the Federal Service of the National Guard of the russian federation in the Republic of Dagestan. In the occupied territory, he operated under the call sign “Lawyer”.
During his stay in the Polohiv district of Zaporizhzhia region, Makhmudov’s task was to identify residents of the occupied territories who held pro-Ukrainian views.
This is the third case against Makhmudov. Two indictments against him were previously sent to court in April and June 2025.
Circumstances of the crime
On July 20, 2023, at 6:00 a.m., Makhmudov, together with at least ten masked fighters, broke into a private house in the occupied part of Zaporizhzhia region, where a local resident lived with his family.
One of the fighters pushed the victim, causing him to fall face down to the ground as he tried to get up from his knees. At that moment, Makhmudov struck him in the genitals with a military boot. After that, the entire group began beating the man, striking him at least 25 times with their hands, feet and rifle butts on his torso and limbs.
Makhmudov then ordered the victim to be thrown into the trunk of a VAZ-2112 car without explanation.
The victim was ordered to cover his eyes with his hands, which were then taped to his head with adhesive tape. In this position, together with two other detainees in the trunk, he was taken to one of the buildings of the railway station in Polohy (37 Pryvokzalna Street / 2 Shevchenko Street). There he was left lying on the floor until evening and was later sent to spend the night in the basement. Throughout this time, the victim’s hands remained taped to his head. He was not given food or water.
On the morning of July 21, the tape was replaced with handcuffs and he was taken outside, where Makhmudov began an “interrogation”. When he failed to obtain the information he wanted, he took a metal rod and struck the victim at least 50 times on the limbs and torso and 10 times on the head.
At the same time, he threatened to kill the victim and his entire family, and also threatened to rape the victim, his partner and their minor children.
Suspicion
The SBU Office in Zaporizhzhia region notified Makhmudov of suspicion under Part 2 of Article 28 and Part 1 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — cruel treatment of civilians and other violations of the laws and customs of war committed by a group of persons acting in prior conspiracy.
Investigators classify his actions as unlawful deprivation of liberty, torture, sexual violence and threats of sexual violence against the victim and members of his family — all of which constitute gross violations of the provisions of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War and Additional Protocol I.