In a shocking turn of events, the men accused of carrying out the devastating terrorist attack at Moscow's Crocus City Hall faced a Russian court with visible signs of physical torture. The four defendants, charged with opening fire on innocent crowds and killing at least 140 people on March 22, appeared in the dock with bruised faces and injuries.

One of the accused, Muhammadsobir Fayzov, was wheeled into the courtroom in a wheelchair, barely conscious throughout the proceedings. He sat in the dock, barefoot and wearing a hospital gown, attended by medical staff. Outside the courtroom, evidence of torture was also apparent. A series of leaked videos revealed the men being subjected to electrocution and violent acts, including the cutting off of an ear and forced consumption of it.

While the use of torture by governments is not uncommon, especially in authoritarian regimes like Russia, the public display of these acts in the Crocus City Hall case is particularly striking. It implies the messages that the Russian government intends to send - to terrorist groups, the Russian public, and to challenge the myth of President Putin's strength and control, shaken by the attack.

Although using torture can be seen as a means to extract intelligence or gain evidence, many authoritarian governments usually conceal its use. In this case, Russian security services made no such attempts to hide the brutality suffered by the defendants. According to Courtenay Monroe, a political science professor at the University of California, the public exposure of the defendants' torture scars is unique in modern times.

Part of the reason behind this unprecedented display is the heinous nature of the alleged crimes committed by the defendants. Videos released by the Islamic State, claiming responsibility for the attack, showed the assailants mercilessly shooting at and attacking the crowd. Given the horrific nature of the incident, the revelation of the torture endured by the accused is unlikely to provoke public outrage. In fact, it may even elicit approval from certain segments of society, as public opinion on torture tends to be more supportive when it involves specific individuals accused of terrorism.

However, there are other motivations at play. By showcasing the suffering inflicted upon the detainees, Russia's security services aim to emphasize their readiness for violence, sending a warning to both terrorist groups and ordinary citizens. Apart from the four main suspects, four others have been arrested by Russian courts, including individuals who allegedly facilitated the attack. This demonstration of strength is also an act of revenge, a way for the security services to reassert dominance after feeling embarrassed by the preceding failures that allowed the attack to occur.

The openness with which torture has occurred in the Crocus City Hall case exposes a culture of impunity within Russia. Despite the ban on torture in the Russian constitution and the country's commitment to the UN Convention Against Torture, detainees continue to be subjected to such inhumane treatment. Russia's commissioner for human rights, Tatyana Moskalkova, recently called the use of torture "unacceptable." However, the Kremlin appears to expect no repercussions, with past experiences suggesting that they will likely go unpunished.

As the trial continues, the world watches in disbelief as the accused face justice in court, their battered bodies serving as a brutal reminder of the harrowing events that unfolded at Crocus City Hall. The debate surrounding the use of torture, the tactics employed by authorities, and the extent of accountability within Russia's legal system are central questions that the proceedings will bring to the forefront.