Lives of four Ukrainian political prisoners in Russia under threat

Lives of at least four Ukrainian prisoners in Russia are under threat.

This is reported by #LetMyPeopleGo activists.

In particular, the mental state of Stanislav Klykh (defendant in “Chechen case”), who is now being tried in Grozny, is extremely unstable and worrisome. The lawyers believe that such a state could be a consequence of being subjected to violence and psychotropic drugs. However, the medical examination shows that he is completely healthy. There is also a threat of delivering Klykh to a mental health facility for compulsory “treatment” which may also be a tool of repression.

Life of Ukrainian pilot Nadiya Savchenko is also in danger. She has been on hunger strike for over 60 days. Moreover, she promises to go on a dry hunger strike after the sentence is passed (what could happen as early as mid-March).

Gennady Afanasyev, defendant in “Sentsov case” also experiences serious problems. After Gennady had withdrawn testimony and said he had been tortured, he has been systematically persecuted in the colony, what is likely to be revenge of the security forces, his lawyer believes. In addition, according to the defense, Afanasyev has been diagnosed with a serious infection which may lead to sepsis, but he does not receive treatment.

74-year-old Yuri Soloshenko, convicted “for espionage”, is also in danger. The prison transfer was difficult for him, and the penitentiary officials refused to provide him with medical care. Although the health condition of the prisoner is relatively stable now, his life is under the permanent threat due to heart disease.

The activists will appeal to the UN to draw attention to the fates of political prisoners in Russia.