The Nobel-Prize-winning Memorial human rights group on Monday expressed concern over the condition of its jailed co-founder Oleg Orlov, who was recently imprisoned for criticizing Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
A Russian court in February sentenced Orlov, 70, to two-and-a-half years in prison for "discrediting" the Russian army after he spoke out against the full-scale invasion and the Kremlin.
"His health is threatened with irreversible consequences," Memorial said in a statement Monday, saying Orlov was losing his hearing and had become unwell due to "inhumane treatment" by prison authorities.
"For more than two weeks, his lawyer has not been able to talk with him confidentially," the group added.
Memorial said the conditions of Orlov's incarceration were hampering his efforts to appeal the prison sentence against him.
Created in the late 1980s, Memorial established itself by preserving the memory of victims of communist repression and by campaigning against rights violations.
Russian authorities officially disbanded the organization in late 2021 amid a growing crackdown on dissent.
Orlov decided to remain in Russia despite wartime military repression.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
