Putin: It's often completely unjustified to put people behind bars before conviction

MOSCOW. Dec 9 (Interfax) - Russians are often taken into custody before being convicted "absolutely unjustifiably," Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

Reacting to a speech given by Russian Presidential Human Rights Council member Eva Merkacheva, who raised the issue of situations of ungrounded arrest of accused persons or suspects, the president said, "Of course, putting people behind bars, in cells is often completely unjustified, and I assure you, I fully agree with you."