A Russian activist has died in jail days after describing being tortured and expressing worry for his life, in keeping with his lawyer, which is believed to be the primary recognized dying in custody of a Russian opponent of the conflict in Ukraine.
Anatoly Berezikov, 40, died a couple of month after he was detained by the police in his house in the southern metropolis of Rostov-on-Don and charged with misdemeanors, which he denied. His lawyer, Irina Gak, mentioned he was recognized to have put up posters across the metropolis selling the antiwar initiative referred to as “I Want to Live,” which helps Russian servicemen in Ukraine to give up, and that it had made him a goal.
The Rostov area police instructed native information media that Mr. Berezikov was discovered with out indicators of life in his cell on Wednesday, an account that attempted to painting his dying as a suicide. The police declined to supply further particulars when contacted by The New York Times, and no different official has commented on Mr. Berezikov’s dying.
Mr. Berezikov is believed to be the primary particular person in Russia to die in police custody after being jailed for opposing the invasion of Ukraine. Tens of 1000’s of Russians have been detained for the reason that begin of the invasion underneath draconian legal guidelines that criminalize criticism of the conflict however most have been launched quickly after.
Among about 600 Russians who’ve been charged with felony offenses associated to opposition to the conflict, 37 have described being tortured, in keeping with Dasha Korolenko, a lawyer with the nation’s human rights advocacy group, OVD-Info, which collects info on every case.
Ms. Gak, the lawyer, said that a day before his death Mr. Berezikov had instructed her that he had damaged ribs and had exhibited marks on his physique that he mentioned have been from a stun.
“He said that he was being threatened, that he feared for his life,” Ms. Gak mentioned in a video posted on social media by OVD-Info on Thursday. Ms. Gak didn’t instantly reply to requests for an interview.
Another native opposition activist, Tatyana Sporysheva, said that she spoke to Mr. Berezikov in courtroom simply days earlier than his dying and that he had described dealing with threats and intimidation. She mentioned Mr. Berezikov had instructed her “I’m afraid that they will kill me.”
Ms. Sporysheva described Mr. Berezikov as a well known member of his neighborhood who did issues like journey his bike in shorts and a Santa hat in freezing winter climate to cheer up fellow residents.
Rostov-on-Don is close to the Azov Sea and a serious navy logistics hub for Russia’s conflict effort.
After his detention, Mr. Berezikov was charged with a number of minor offenses, together with hooliganism, permitting the authorities to maintain him in custody. His newest 15-day sentence was supposed to finish on Thursday, however Ms. Sporysheva mentioned he had predicted at his sentencing that he wouldn’t survive that lengthy, telling her “I won’t live to June 15.”
Alina Lobzina contributed reporting.
