Thursday, August 2, 2007

Russia: Activist Sent To Psychiatric Unit After Exposing Health Facilities

A Russian opposition activist has been locked in a mental-health institution in Murmansk Oblast for criticizing health professionals, her husband and human-rights groups claim.

Dmitry Tereshin has hardly slept since July 5, the day his wife, Larisa Arap, telephoned him from the local hospital in Murmansk to say doctors were forcibly admitting her to a psychiatric unit. She had gone to the hospital for a routine check-up she needed to renew her driver's license.

"In my opinion, it may have been because of the article, because the doctor had read the article Larissa wrote," said Tereshin. "The article was entitled 'Madhouse,' and it revealed what goes on in psychiatric clinics."

READ MORE @ RADIO FREE EUROPE - Russia: Activist Sent To Psychiatric Unit After Exposing Health Facilities
READ MORE @ BBC - Psychiatric abuse claim in Russia
READ MORE @ MOSCOW TIMES - Opposition Spokeswoman Sent to Psychiatric Hospital