Alexei Malobrodsky Refused Medical Attention in Prison

The case against Kirill Serebrennikov and Alexei Malobrodsky has entered a dangerous phase for Malobrodsky. There is concern not only about his health, but about his life. He was recently moved in the middle of the night to a horrendous new cell (read below), and was refused medical help when he requested it. His wife and his attorney have made public appeals. It is possible that Valery Fokin, a cultural advisor to Vladimir Putin, may help bring these protests to the Kremlin. But for now, Malobrodsky remains in distinct danger. Below is a text by director Mikhail Bychkov, that he suggests all Russian theaters allow to be read before all performances throughout Russia. For all of you who know, or have known, Russian theater over the years: we have reached a turning point. Please read the text below. Please be aware that one of our colleagues is in desperate straits.

"The so-called 'theatre case' involving Kirill Serebrennikov's Seventh Studio is being conducted with numerous violations of law and human rights. Former Seventh Studio producer Alexei Malobrodsky has been held without cause over 9 months in jail, although the remaining defendants in the case are under house arrest.

The theatre community is highly outraged by the recent transfer of Aleksei Malobrodsky from pre-trial detention center No. 1 to pre-trail detention center No. 4 (Medved), where he is confronted with extremely harsh conditions for a middle-aged man: There are 12 people in a cell intended for eight; people sleep on the floor; everyone smokes. Malobrodsky's condition has deteriorated sharply. He requested that a doctor be called, but he did not receive medical help. This is a direct violation of a citizen's right to medical assistance, provided for by Article 41 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation.

Malobrodsky's transfer to detention center No. 4 (Medved), and the denial of medical care may be regarded as an attempt to exert pressure on the accused with the goal of coercing him into giving false testimony against himself and other persons involved in the case. Similar methods were used against Sergei Magnitsky, and they led to his death. We must not allow this to happen again.

Furthermore, Malobrodsky has been denied visits by his wife, as well as telephone conversations with his daughter, despite his numerous petitions. We demand that the leadership of the Investigative Committee stop the unlawful actions of the investigation team and that that they guarantee the legitimate rights of Aleksei Malobrodsky, whose guilt has not yet been proven. We demand that the prosecutor's office ensure the observance of our colleague's lawful rights.

We call on all Russian theatre groups to support this statement. People of the theatre, all people of good will! We must, we must save Alexei Malobrodsky!"