Concern for imprisoned Russian historian Dmitriev

Memorial complained that tissue samples from the patient requested by doctors after a blood test had inexplicably disappeared. In addition, prescribed medication had only worsened Dmitriev's condition, who has a number of health problems. Adequate medical care for him is urgently needed, it said.

Human rights activist is considered a victim of Russian judicial arbitrariness

The EU has long been calling for the release of the scientist, who is considered a victim of Russian judicial arbitrariness, not least on humanitarian grounds due to his age and illnesses. Many supporters were surprised that Dmitriev was not released last year during an exchange of political prisoners between Russia and the West. Political prisoners also repeatedly die in Russian prison camps, such as the Kremlin opponent Alexei Navalny almost a year ago.

Dmitriev, who was sentenced to 15 years in prison in 2021 for allegedly abusing his stepdaughter, is being held in the IK-18 penal camp in Potma in the Mordovia region more than 500 kilometers southeast of Moscow. The EU assumes that Dmitriyev's prosecution was triggered by his human rights work and his research into political repression during the Soviet era. According to human rights activists, the heavy sentence is also intended as a warning signal to other researchers.