RUSSIA RELIGION NEWS


Sick Jehovah's Witness mistreated in prison

PRISONER FOR FAITH DENIED NECESSARY MEDICINES IN KURSK SIZO. HIS CONDITION IS CRITICAL

Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia, 2 January 2020

 

The administration and medics of the Kursk SIZO [pre-trial detention cell] are refusing necessary medication for Artem Bagratian, who was arrested for reading the Bible, meeting with fellow believers, and conversing with others about the Bible. The 47-year-old Artem has diabetes and hypertension and his condition has worsened sharply.

 

Artem was arrested along with his wife, Alevtina, and other believers in Kursk on 16 October 2019 on a charge of extremism. Since then both spouses and their friend Andrei Andreev have been held in custody in SIZO No. 1 for Kursk oblast.

 

"In the SIZO, Artem is not permitted to take the medicines that he took before his arrest. In the cell he is given similar ones that are less effective. He is also not provided a special diet," Bagratin's lawyer reported, adding that there exists a real threat to the life of his client.

 

The lawyer visited Bagratian on 26 December 2019. The next day, 27 December, a hearing was held in the Lenin district court on extending the measure of restriction. During the session Artem became ill and it was necessary to summon first aid, since his sugar level and blood pressure were sharply elevated.

 

"The doctor did not have medicine for blood pressure and therefore they rushed to the pharmacy. After this Artem became a bit better and the hearing continued," the lawyer explained.

 

Despite the Bagratian's critical condition, Judge Tatiana Pozdniakova extended his detention until 11 March 2020.

 

The case of the Bagratian family is being conducted by M.N. Zaitsev, an investigator of the Russian U.F.S.B. for Kursk oblast.

 

After the Bagratians were arrested in October 2019, a series of raids took place in Kursk. On 24 and 31 October, special forces conducted searches in a total of seven homes of believers. On 6 and 11 November, another three searches occured. (tr. by PDS, posted 2 January 2020)


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