RUSSIAN FEDERATION：
ACTIVIST RELEASED FROM PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL

Activist Dmitry Vorobyovsky, who had been taken to a psychiatric hospital on 6 May and subjected to involuntary psychiatric treatment, was released following a court order on 12 May.

Activist Dmitry Vorobyovsky was released on 12 May following a court order after being held for five days in a psychiatric hospital. Dmitry Vorobyovsky was forcibly taken to the Voronezh Regional Neurological Dispensary, in Voronezh, southern Russia, on the evening of 6 May and injected with an unknown substance and given pills against his will. Dmitry Vorobyovsky’s sister and lawyers submitted complaints to the local Prosecutor’s Office following his detention but they were told that nothing could be done because of the Victory Day public holiday on 9 May. Under Russian law, nobody should be detained for more than 48 hours without a judge’s order. Dmitry Vorobyovsky’s detention beyond 48 hours was also in violation of international standards.

The hearing on his case took place in the afternoon of 12 May and lasted for three hours. At the hearing, the prosecutor stated that there were no reasons for Dmitry Vorobyovsky’s forced hospitalisation and supported his release.

One of Dmitry Vorobyovsky’s lawyers believes that the UA contributed to his release.

Thank you to all those who sent appeals. No further action is requested from the UA network.

This is the first update of UA 109/16. Further information: https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/EUR46/3996/2016/en/

Further information on UA: 109/16 Index: EUR 46/4041/2016 Issue Date: 12 May 2016