Why Putin’s Private Army Ordered Soldiers to Torture Me

‘NO ONE GETS OUT ALIVE’

The Daily Beast correspondent Philip Obaji Jr. was abducted and beaten by soldiers while reporting on wrongdoing by the Wagner Group.

Published Jul. 5 2024 4:50AM EDT

Putin and CAR map — Photo Illustration by Erin O'Flynn/The Daily Beast/Getty Images

BÉLOKO, Central African Republic—They were all wearing military fatigues and armed with Kalashnikovs when they showed up suddenly at about 5 o’clock one Friday evening at the start of December.

Philip Obaji Jr.

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Why Putin’s Private Army Ordered Soldiers to Torture Me

The Daily Beast correspondent Philip Obaji Jr. was abducted and beaten by soldiers while reporting on wrongdoing by the Wagner Group.

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Philip Obaji Jr.