IMPRISONED POET IS AT RISK OF TORTURE

Dear Mr. Gostev

I am deeply concerned about the health and well-being of poet, Artyom Kamardin, sentenced to seven years imprisonment on trumped-up charges for a public reading of one of his poems. Artyom was subjected to harassment and ill-treatment while in pre-trial detention in Moscow.

On November 25, it was revealed that Artyom Kamardin had been transferred from a Moscow pre-trial detention center to another pre-trial detention center (SIZO-1) in Vladimir. His family was not informed of this transfer, nor of the name of the penal colony to which he will be transferred to serve his sentence, which is a violation of Russian law. There are concerns he may face torture or other ill-treatment during the transfer and at the penal colony. I am also deeply concerned about the impact of the inhumane transfer conditions on Artyom Kamardin’s health. He is suffering from severe back pain, headaches, nausea, dizziness, and tinnitus, yet he has received no proper medical examination or treatment during his pre-trial detention.

I urge you to ensure that Artyom Kamardin is not subjected to harassment, torture, or other ill-treatment during his future transfer to, and while serving his sentence at, the penal colony. Additionally, I call on you to guarantee he receives the necessary healthcare he requires during transit and is transferred to a civilian hospital for a proper medical examination and treatment upon arrival. Lastly, I request that his family is promptly informed of the location where he will serve his sentence and that he is allowed to maintain contact with them during the transfer and at the colony.

Yours sincerely,

[YOUR NAME]