Outrage after Russian police film themselves physically harming opposition journalist

A "highly disturbing" video of Russian police physically harming a journalist in Vladivostok has caused an outcry on social media.

Footage of Russian journalist and opposition blogger Gennady Shulga was leaked by police and posted on Twitter on Sunday.

Shulga was filmed lying on the floor next to a bowl of pet food. A man wearing camo gear had his hand around his forehead, pulling his head back aggressively.

According to Russian journalist Kevin Rothrock, police raided his home and "questioned him" about the opposition's protests.

Shulga runs the blog NewsBox24, and covered the January 23 protests in support of opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

Police broke into Shulga's home on February 6 as part of an investigation against protesters who blocked traffic during the protests.

He was then taken for questioning at the anti-extremism department before being let home at six hours later.

"Makes it more unsettling that the police published the vid themselves," one Reddit user wrote.

"This is torture," another said.

According to a video blog posted by Shulga himself, they took his computer, telephone, sim card, and filmed themselves forcing him into humiliating positions.

"I was held on the floor and interrogated if I were a drug trafficker, a rapist or terrorist," he said.

"I think it's strange that they published it, because in wanting to humiliate me, they've basically humiliated themselves."