Kuban Jehovah's Witness* complains about absence of medical care at SIZO

The advocate of Valery Bailo, a convicted Jehovah's Witness* from Kuban (Krasnodar Territory), has filed complaints to the prosecutor's office about the absence of medical care, but was still unable to get treatment for his client, who is suffering from the consequences of a knee injury and acute toothache. The SIZO's medical unit has stated that Bailo needs no emergency care.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on April 10, 2024, it became known that law enforcers searched the home of the 66-year-old Valery Bailo, after which he was sent to custody. The human rights project "Support for Political Prisoners. Memorial" recognized him as a political prisoner. The Abinsky Court found Bailo guilty of participating in the activities of an extremist organization and sentenced him to 2.5 years of freedom deprivation.

At the SIZO, Bailo receives no medical care despite his deteriorating health condition. He needs a joint surgery; he has been complaining of severe toothache for six months and has stomach problems. But constant appeals to the SIZO administration remain unanswered, the human rights project "OVD-Info" has informed**.

The advocate believes that this puts the life and health of his client at risk.

*396 Russian organizations of Jehovah's Witnesses are recognized as extremist, and their activities in Russia are banned by court's decision.

**Included by the Russian Ministry of Justice (MoJ) into the register of foreign agents.