A Russian activist has died in jail days after describing being tortured and expressing concern for his life, in keeping with his lawyer, in what’s believed to be the primary identified dying in custody of a Russian opponent of the warfare in Ukraine.
Anatoly Berezikov, 40, died a couple of month after he was detained by the police in his house within the southern metropolis of Rostov-on-Don and charged with misdemeanors, which he denied. An area human rights activist mentioned Mr. Berezikov informed her in his final court docket look that he put up posters across the metropolis selling the antiwar initiative referred to as “I Wish to Reside,” which helps Russian servicemen in Ukraine to give up, and that it had made him a goal.
The Rostov area police informed 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 extra particulars when contacted by The New York Occasions, 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 hundreds of Russians have been detained because the begin of the warfare below draconian legal guidelines that criminalize dissent, however most have been launched quickly after.
Amongst about 600 Russians who’ve been charged with prison offenses associated to opposition to the warfare, 37 have described being tortured, in keeping with Dasha Korolenko, a lawyer with the nation’s human rights advocacy group OVD-Information, which collects info on every case.
Irina Gak, Mr. Berezikov’s lawyer, mentioned {that a} day earlier than his dying her shopper informed her that he had damaged ribs and had exhibited marks on his physique that he mentioned have been from a stun gun.
“He mentioned that he was being threatened, that he feared for his life,” Ms. Gak mentioned in a video posted on social media by OVD-Information on Thursday.
An area human rights activist, Tatyana Sporysheva, mentioned that she spoke to Mr. Berezikov in court docket two weeks earlier than his dying. She described him as being in a state of shock and battling primary duties, reminiscent of writing.
“He stood there like a mushy doll, in a trance,” she mentioned. However she added that Mr. Berezikov had needed to speak at size about himself.
She mentioned Mr. Berezikov was identified within the native activist group as a authorities opponent who had beforehand been detained for attending rallies in help of the Russian opposition chief Aleksei A. Navalny.
Describing him as an introverted man with an eccentric streak, Ms. Sporysheva mentioned Mr. Berezikov made a dwelling repairing digital home equipment and was a passionate beginner mechanic who constructed home made synthesizers and tattoo machines. Final winter, Mr. Berezikov rode his bike in shorts and a Santa hat in freezing climate to cheer up fellow residents, she mentioned.
Rostov-on-Don is close to the Azov Sea and is a significant navy logistics hub for Russia’s warfare effort. The navy ambiance and rising sabotage from Ukraine have made antiwar activism within the metropolis notably harmful.
After his detention, Mr. Berezikov was charged with a number of minor offenses, together with hooliganism, permitting the authorities to maintain him in custody. Ms. Sporysheva mentioned Mr. Berezikov informed her that an intelligence officer had visited him in jail and mentioned that the authorities knew about his antiwar poster marketing campaign.
Mr. Berezikov’s newest sentence of 15 days was supposed to finish on Thursday, however Ms. Sporysheva mentioned he had predicted at his final court docket look that he wouldn’t survive that lengthy, telling her “I gained’t dwell to June 15.”
Alina Lobzina contributed reporting.
