Russia army smeared over bullying case - General

MOSCOW, Mar 19 (Reuters) A top Russian general said the case of a conscript beaten so badly doctors had to amputate his legs and genitals was being stirred up by prosecutors who wanted to discredit the military.

Prosecutors said Andrei Sychev suffered the injuries after a beating in his barracks. His case shocked many Russians, who saw it as proof that military commanders cared little about the welfare of the young soldiers under their care.

Colonel-General Alexei Maslov, Commander-in-chief of Infantry Forces, said in a television interview Sychev's case was being twisted by the prosecutors investigating it.

''I get the impression that certain officials in the military prosecutor's office have a prejudiced attitude towards the armed forces,'' he told RTR television.

''Certain officials are exceeding their authority in the course of this investigation. They are trying, with various methods and means, to get hold of confessions.'' Sychev was in the first year of his two-year compulsory national service. Maslov said he had not been beaten by second-year conscripts -- a widespread practice known as ''dedovshchina'', or ''rule of the grandfathers.'' This contradicted the version of prosecutors, who have arrested several older conscripts from Sychev's unit.

Prosecutors said Sychev was attacked when soldiers in his barracks went on a drunken rampage over the New Year holiday.

''I can report today that there were no cases of mass drinking on New Year's eve among the servicemen of (Sychev's battalion),'' said Maslov.

REUTERS VJ RAI0219