This is the 4663rd most frequent Russian word.
допрашивают
"Are interrogating" or "are questioning."
Here, 'допрашивает' ('is questioning') indicates formal questioning or interrogation in a legal or official context by an authority.
Полиция допрашивает свидетелей событий.
The police are questioning the witnesses of the events.
In this case, 'допрашивает' ('is questioning') is used informally to signify asking questions to obtain information or clarifications in an educational setting.
Учитель допрашивает ученика на тему домашней работы.
The teacher is questioning the student about the homework topic.
The term 'допрашивали' ('were questioning') here applies to reporters conducting an interview or inquiry for informational purposes.