Russian Federation/Ukraine: Imprisoned Nurse Denied Healthcare
People who have opposed the Russian occupation and illegal annexation of the Crimean Peninsula and the human rights violations committed there since 2014 have faced persecution, including harassment, intimidation, prosecution under trumped-up charges and enforced disappearances. International human rights monitors do not have access to Crimea and independent media are either banned in Crimea or have been forced to shut down, access to their online platforms blocked on the peninsula and in Russia.
Irina Danilovich is a civic activist and a human rights defender who has been exposing problems of the healthcare system in Crimea. She was very vocal and publicly condemned cases of politically motivated prosecution, enforced disappearances, arbitrary detention of human rights defenders and other activists.
On 29 April 2022, Irina Danilovich was abducted in Koktebel, Crimea, by members of Russia’s security forces. Her fate and whereabouts were unknown to her family and lawyer until 11 May. According to Irina Danilovich, she was repeatedly threatened with secret execution, and spent most of this time locked up in a basement, in inhumane conditions, and subjected to torture or other ill-treatment. Her trial commenced on 22 August 2022 at Feodosia City Court and was fraught with numerous fair trial violations. On 28 December 2022, she was sentenced to seven years of prison and a fine of 50,000 Roubles (US$ 720) under Article 222.1(1) of the Russian Criminal Code (illegal purchase, transfer, storage and transportation of explosive substances or explosive devices). She remains a criminal suspect under high treason charges.
Early during her trial, Irina Danilovich complained of severe ear pain, and stated that she was unable to follow the proceedings and asked for adjournment but was refused. Her medical condition has progressively deteriorated since, but she was seen by penitentiary paramedics and refused the healthcare she required. She commenced a hunger strike on 20 March in protest.