Russian police officer
A Russian police officer stands near Oktyabrskoye Pole metro station in Moscow, Feb. 29, 2016. Reuters/Maxim Zmeyev

Horrifying photos released online show a woman with her ears, nose and fingertips bitten off after she was attacked by a Russian "Hannibal Lecter."

Nurse Irina Gonchar became a victim of cannibalism when she met Anatoliy Ezhkova, who invited her for an intimate meal at his hostel in Kurgan, central Russia, after the duo got to know each other online.

The 45-year-old man reportedly got Gonchar drunk before tying her up with a cord and sinking his teeth into her flesh. He tore off her ears, nose and fingertips with his teeth while she screamed and begged for mercy. Ezhkova also bit the woman on her back and neck, pulling out some of her flesh, according to media reports.

The torture continued for nearly four hours before neighbors heard Gonchar's screams and called the police, Daily Mail reported. Ezhkova was arrested but later released on bail ahead of a court appearance.

A family member said: "How could the cops let him go? What if he breaks into her flat after she is sent home and tries to kill her?"

Gonchar was rushed to hospital with horrific wounds all over her body and a fractured rib.

"This torture lasted for four hours, this man tore at her body with his teeth, she is positive he tried to kill her. He tried to smother her, but her neck was covered by blood and his hands got [too] slippy," a relative of the woman told local media. "Neighbors heard screams but they are used to these things as there are lots of alcoholics living in the hostel."

Local resident Ludmila Zalomskaya added: "I am shocked with this story and even more shocked he was released. The family urgently needs to contact the prosecutor's office in Moscow, if local lawmakers are not qualified enough."

This is not the first time such an incident has taken place in Russia. In September, police arrested 35-year-old Dmitry Baksheev and his wife, 42-year-old Natasha Baksheev, who confessed to multiple murders and acts of cannibalism. The couple allegedly murdered as many as 30 people since 1999 and consumed body parts of their victims.