Political prisoner Alexey Pichugin turns 59 today
July 25, 2021
Today, Radio Liberty published material in honor of Alexey Pichugin’s birthday.
Political prisoner Alexey Pichugin turns 59. He has been behind bars since 2003.
On July 25, 2021, former Yukos staffer Alexey Pichugin turned 59. Memorial Human Rights Centre (listed by the RF authorities as a “foreign agent” NGO) and several other human rights organizations consider him a political prisoner. Pichugin is the only one serving a life sentence in the history of Memorial’s political prisoner lists. When arrested, Alexey Pichugin was 40.
Pichugin’s pen pals made a congratulatory card, a collage of their own photo portraits, and sent it to Lefortovo jail in Moscow where the prisoner is being held temporarily. Here are some excerpts: “From the bottom of my heart I am wishing you health and energy! I am not losing the hope to shake your hand!” “I very much want you to be free as soon as possible. And it will definitely happen!” “I don’t forget even for a day; I forgive no one; I am waiting all the time.”
Earlier, there was a traditional Saturday demonstration calling for the release of political prisoners. The demonstration was held by the Bulat Okudzhava statue on Arbat [Street] in Moscow. Demonstrators held photos of political prisoners, including Pichugin’s portrait, and a poster read: “Alexey Pichugin is the authorities’ hostage.”
Alexey Pichugin has been behind bars since June 19, 2003. Since then, he’s received hundreds of congratulatory notes from different countries on his birthday, with well‑wishers including such celebrities as actresses Natalia Fateyeva and Liya Akhedjakova, rocker Yuri Shevchuk, radio host, poet and singer-songwriter Natella Boltyanskaya, writers Boris Akunin, Viktor Shenderovich and Ludmila Ulitzkaya, journalist Zoya Svetova, scientist Igor Sutyagin, archpriest Alexei Uminsky, human rights advocates and former Yukos co-workers. Last year, on July 25, Memorial Human Rights Centre posted a documentary on its YouTube channel featuring Pichugin’s case, with comments on the case by experts and prominent individuals.
Source: Radio Liberty
