The Russian Interior Ministry accused on...

The statement came after Russia’s The New Times magazine published on Monday an article claiming that the OMON Zubr (Bison) detachment made use of slave labor.

Former OMON employee Larisa Krepkova said that officers captured migrants from ex-Soviet republics and forced them to work at the detachment’s near-Moscow base. She also said they were put to work at the country homes of top police officials.

Krepkova, who was an OMON dog handler for six years, claimed that any of the “slaves” who tried to escape were severely beaten.

The OMON was formed in 1979 as a counter-terrorist group ahead of the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games. OMON members receive intensive weapons and hand-to-hand combat training.

The article came shortly after a New Times story based on the testimonies of current and former officers alleged widespread corruption within the OMON. It also detailed “standing orders” to destroy any protest rally banners against

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