Andrey Vlasov Remains in Penal Colony Despite his Progressive Serious Illness. Why?

Andrey Vlasov, a disabled person, was sentenced to 7 years in a penal colony for his Christian beliefs. He could not achieve the mitigation of his sentence despite his state of health and lengthy litigation in courts of various instances. He is still serving his sentence in conditions that make his life almost unbearable.

In May 2022, Andrey was taken into custody and placed in a pretrial detention center, where he was seriously ill with pneumonia. In October of the same year, he was sent to a penal colony. There, in just 7 months, his condition deteriorated significantly: osteoarthritis in his shoulders and knees progressed from second to third stage. Later he was diagnosed with tuberculosis. In the spring of 2023, Vlasov was diagnosed with coronary heart disease. A medical examination conducted in April 2024 confirmed another serious disease of the musculoskeletal system: ankylosis of the hip joint.

The defense had a pack of medical documents confirming his condition, including the conclusion of a neurosurgeon, according to which Vlasov suffers from another extremely serious disease — absolute spinal stenosis, which requires surgery according to the specialist. The surgeon states that if an operation is not performed, it can lead to complete paralysis of the limbs and a spinal cord stroke.

Vlasov spoke in detail about his daily difficulties and how his condition deteriorated during his imprisonment, at the hearing for his appeal against the Pervomayskiy District Court of Novosibirsk ruling of August 3, 2023, which denied his motion to be released due to illness. He cannot raise his arms or wash his hair and can hardly put on underwear, due to the stiffness of his joints and constant pain.

Andrey cannot walk without a cane or crutch, as he has already fallen several times, and he cannot get up on his own. Also, he cannot carry objects from one place to another, for example, groceries from the store or a tray with food in the dining room. Ordinary everyday activities cause severe pain, which sometimes prevents him from sleeping.

The court of appeal did not take into account the evidence showing that the believer cannot take care of himself and needs constant help and medical care. Also, the court did not pay attention to serious errors in the results of two medical commissions, which even concluded that the convicted person did not have any diseases specified in the List of Diseases.

Andrey Vlasov is not the only Jehovah's Witness with a disability who is being prosecuted in today's Russia for their faith in God. This and other similar cases demonstrate the indifference of the judicial system to the suffering of convicted persons and a gross violation of human rights.