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June 28, 2007
Vladimir Chugunov, a journalist held in psychiatric detention since January, was released on 27 May, almost six months later. International PEN considers his arrest to be related to his writings and continues to be concerned that the case against him is still pending and that he could be returned to prison if convicted.
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Chugunov was arrested in Solnechnogorsk, 40 miles (64 kilometers) north-west of Moscow, on January 21 and subsequently charged with “threatening to murder or cause serious health damage”. Although potentially a serious charge, despite holding Chugunov for more than five months, the authorities have reportedly yet to provide information on the reasons for his arrest. Chugunov was held in isolation throughout his detention, during which time he claims to have been moved between prison cells, hospital and psychiatric wards. He is said not to have been given a diagnosis for any psychiatric disorder. He told the Committee to Protect Journalists that he was administered unspecified medication, and that he suffered lice and scabies. He eventually went on a 10-day hunger strike in protest.
In 2002, Chugunov received the Andrei Sakharov award for his journalism for his years of reporting on human rights issues and he has also written articles critical of the local authorities. He continued this despite attacks, including a 2002 attack by thugs who broke his right hand saying—“Here you go now, writer, write if you can”. Commentators inside and outside Russia believe that the charges have been levied against Chugunov in retaliation for his reporting.