People who write to Alexey Pichugin regularly are concerned about significant delays with correspondence

December 15, 2021

People who write to Alexey Pichugin regularly are concerned about significant delays with correspondence. For example, Alexey’s regular pen pal Asya Shulbayeva posted in the Tales for Political Prisoners Facebook group:

“The same day I received the latest edition of Novaya Gazeta [newspaper], I also received an envelope with handwriting I’ve known for a long time – Alexey Pichugin’s. On November 5,  he wrote: “I received your kind note (dated September 26) with wonderful photographs of Siberian fall…”

That means that it wasn’t until November that Alexey Vladimirovich was given my letter that I sent to him in late September (!). And it took another month for his reply to clear the Moscow postal service on December 8.

I have been corresponding with Alexey for years, and I know he always replies right away, without delay. It’s not a large letter; it’s written on sturdy postcard-format paper. Maybe he had problems with writing paper at some point? There was also a small postcard with flowers.

Yet Alexey shouldn’t have problems with paper and envelopes; his mom brings them to him regularly, and she’s not the only one. But his letters to everyone started getting delayed.

Journalist Vera Vasilyeva has been corresponding with Alexey for many years. She also posted on Facebook that she received his November 2 letter just yesterday (December 14). In that letter, Alexey sends his regards to everyone and thanks for their support. He also wrote regarding delays with correspondence: “As for letters, don’t be concerned about the delays; this is dictated by circumstances. Be certain that I write to you regularly, although not as often as I’d like.”

Source: Facebook