Bela Shayevich – The Voice Project
Photo: Ilya Shablinski
Nadezhda Tolokonnikova’s husband Pyotr Verzilov is reporting that the hunger striking Pussy Riot member has been transferred from her solitary confinement cell to the medical unit of Penal Colony 14. The head doctor of the prison characterized her condition as “terrible,” and denied Verzilov and Tolokonnikova’s lawyers a meeting with allegedly her due to her weakened state.
Mr. Verzilov arrived at PC-14 early in the morning today, Friday September 27th, in order to see her following a trip to Perm for Maria Alyokhina’s court hearing. After hours of waiting, he was told by prison authorities that Tolokonnikova had been hospitalized, and would currently not be allowed to see anyone.
It is critical that Ms. Tolokonnikova’s advocates have access to her and can monitor her condition and we are calling on prison officials to rectify this situation.
If you’d like to follow Pyotr’s Twitter updates, his account is @gruppa_voina. The following translated as of 12:24 PM EDT, 20:24 Moscow:
So. 4 hours ago we submitted documents to see Nadia. Head warden Kazennova has 15 minutes to get this sorted out or else we’ll be requesting your help!
Attention 1: PC-14 Head Warden Kazennova just denied Tolokonnikova a meeting with her lawyer because she is “feeling ill”
According to law, PC-14 Head Warden Kazennova is currently personally responsible for denying Tolokonnikova a meeting with her lawyer
PC-14 Head Doctor Mezina just announced that Tolokonnikova has been transferred to the PC-14 medical unit from solitary confinement, but refuses to produce documentation of her hospitalization
PC-14 Head Doctor Mezina: “As of 4 PM, I deem Tolokonnikova’s condition ‘terrible’”
Nadia has been hospitalized, but they refuse to present documentation or let her meet with her lawyer. The [information] blockade has begun
A Federal Penitentary Service official has just confirmed that the head of the Mordovian administration, General Oleg Simchenkov, has supported the prohibition on visitation
This is the FIRST time Nadia has been prevented from meeting with her defense since her arrival at PC-14 and yesterday was the first time they used physical force on her
The Investigative Committee investigator just confirmed that in the PC-14 medical unit, he was told that Nadia was in such bad condition that she could not be questioned today
Another NEWSFLASH. Just now, all phone calls scheduled with Nadia have been cancelled. She is “on bed rest.” The Federal Penitentiary Service has started a blockade
For the past 23 hours, since 7:30 PM last night, we have not had ANY information about what is happening with Nadia. We need everyone’s help—the complete blockade has begun
The Pussy Riot Support Fund is used to keep Nadya and Masha clothed, supplied, visited and monitored in the labor camps (this is critical for their ongoing safety), and for their legal expenses and children’s care. For more information: voiceproject.org/pussyriot