10 Essential Rules for Behavior During Interrogation

These classic but useful tips are especially helpful for beginners facing an interrogation. Knowing how to conduct yourself can make a significant difference in the outcome.

1. Silence is golden!
   Stay silent for as long as possible. When you enter the investigator’s office, you’ll likely see a serious person filling out paperwork, ignoring you. Never start the conversation first! Whoever speaks first loses. This is an old KGB trick.
2. Pause before answering.
   The longer the pause, the better. First, it slows down the conversation and reduces tension. Second, it gives you time to think about your answer.
3. Don’t look them in the eyes.
   This is one of the main rules. Unless you have immense inner strength, don’t test your luck. Holding the gaze of a trained interrogator is tough, and losing this “game” can be a big psychological blow.
4. Look down—at your hands or the table.
   Distract and calm yourself. Ideally, before the conversation starts, pick up a small object—your own small object, not the investigator’s pen. If you get nervous, your hands may shake, which is not good. A small object can distract both you and the interrogator, putting them in a slight trance. Try to make your movements rhythmic and repetitive. Don’t fall for this trick yourself—if the investigator is fiddling with something or tapping a rhythm, shift your attention elsewhere, like studying your nails or mentally humming your favorite tune.
5. Don’t ask for anything.
   Never make requests. Forget phrases like “please give me,” or “may I.” Replace them with “where can I get,” or “what should I write on.” Be polite, but don’t humble yourself.
6. Don’t be afraid.
   If you’re being interrogated, it means they need something from you. You can confess at any time, but it’s much harder to retract a confession. They’ll try to persuade, beg, or scare you. Don’t get into arguments—just answer questions. For rhetorical questions, answer in your head.
7. By law, you are not required to testify against yourself or your loved ones.
   They’ll usually tell you this only after you’ve signed the protocol. Note: Article 51 of the Russian Constitution protects you from self-incrimination. Even if you’re at an interrogation, you can answer any question with: “I invoke Article 51 of the Constitution and will not answer.”
8. Answer questions evasively.
   Use phrases like “Maybe,” “I can’t say for sure,” “I don’t remember,” “Probably,” “Possibly,” “Likely,” etc.
9. Pretend if necessary.
   Feign poor health or even fainting. This can seriously unsettle your “friends.” It’s much more pleasant to spend the night in a hospital than in a cell. There are cases where someone convincingly faked a heart attack—even their pulse was undetectable. If you’re lucky, you might get an inexperienced investigator who feels compassion. In that case, you’ve won. Sometimes, the case won’t even go to court.
10. One method of pressure is placing you in a cell with hardened criminals.
    Most newcomers break under this test and are ready to sign anything just to avoid humiliation or abuse from cellmates. There’s no universal advice here—use your own judgment. If you suspect any violation of the law, always file a complaint with the prosecutor’s office! Even if you’re wrong, it will seriously stress the police, and you lose nothing. Note: Even if the prosecutor rejects your complaint, the police will start treating you much more politely.

And remember:

• “A frank confession is a direct path to prison!”
• “A frank confession may ease your conscience, but it increases your sentence.”