Correctional authorities in Karelia in northwestern Russia have confirmed the use of force against dissident Ildar Dadin, who was sentenced for repeated participation in protest actions, the Novaya Gazeta newspaper reported Monday.



The statement by the authorities describes an alleged incident which occurred on Sept. 11.



"Dadin rudely refused to leave his cell, to assume the position for inspection, and he started to grab the guards by their uniforms, as a result of which force and special measures were used against him," the statement read, according to Novaya Gazeta.



Earlier it was reported that Dadin had written a letter alleging systematic use of torture and beatings by correctional authorities. He also claimed to have been repeatedly sent to solitary confinement as a punishment.

Ildar Dadin was sentenced to three years in a penal colony for repeated participation in opposition protests in December 2015. His sentence was later reduced to two and a half years.