Russians Outfox U.S. in Latest Great Game - WSJ.com
Then Mr. Abdyldayev became a victim. Three men attacked him with metal pipes as he left his newspaper one evening in March, broke both his arms, his ribs and a leg, and stabbed him 26 times in the buttocks.
What’s with the stabbing him in the ass 26 times? Is that some sort of weird Russian Mafia warning? (via Glenn Reynolds)


Happens fairly often in the Middle East.
It keeps him alive to serve as a warning to others.
Plus it’s a major insult, takes a long time to heal, and makes life miserable for the victim for months. He may have the casts off before he can sit comfortably again.