RU / ENG

Igor Baryshnikov, 64, from Sovetsk, a town near Kaliningrad, became a defendant in two criminal cases under an article on spreading “knowingly false information” for several anti-war posts on Facebook. The prosecutor requested 8 years in prison for Igor.

Prison could kill Igor Baryshnikov. During his trial, his chronic illness, a tumor with suspected cancer, got worse. He has a cystostomy (a tube in his abdomen) and needs surgery and constant medical supervision. His primary care physician confirmed in court under oath that Baryshnikov may die if he doesn’t have surgery. If Baryshnikov goes to prison, he will definitely not get the treatment he urgently needs and he will die.

Igor Baryshnikov also takes care of his paralyzed 96-year-old mother. She survived the Second World War, and she was also officially recognized as a victim of fascism by the Jewish Foundation «Hesed Kaliningrad». Neither she nor Igor received any help from the state for many years — once local authorities sent a cake, a china set and tea as a gift for his mother's anniversary, and that was it. What is more, on May 9, when Russia celebrates the victory over the Nazis, their apartment was raided by the Russian Investigative Committee.

Apartment searches and Igor’s court trials are adversely affecting his mother’s condition. Igor is her only caregiver, and if the court rules to send Baryshnikov to prison for 8 years, both he and his mother will die.

We demand that Igor Baryshnikov be released and allowed to care for his sick mother! No one should go to jail and die without access to medical treatment for voicing their opinion!