Lawyer Says Activist Artem Gribul Begins Hunger Strike Over Reported Mistreatment of Anastasia Zinovkina
By Liza Mchedlidze
Monday, November 3, 2025
Lawyer Daria Samodurova announced that her client, activist Artem Gribul, has begun a hunger strike in protest of the alleged mistreatment of fellow detainee Anastasia Zinovkina. Samodurova said Gribul decided to act after learning from media reports about Zinovkina's reported abuse at Penitentiary Institution No. 5.
"A few minutes ago, my client, Artem Gribul, called me," the lawyer wrote. "He learned from the media about the horrific news about Anastasia Zinovkina. Let me remind you that Anastasia was subjected to inhumane treatment by prison staff. Artem informed me that he is going on a hunger strike. His demand is to identify all employees of Penitentiary Institution No. 5 who abused Anastasia Zinovkina, to dismiss them, and to ensure they are held accountable."
Accounts of Zinovkina's condition were first shared by her acquaintance, Alyona Zaitseva, who said she spoke to the prisoner by phone on October 30. According to Zaitseva, Zinovkina has serious back problems that worsened on October 29, leaving her unable to stand or move for hours.
"She asked for help for eight hours," Zaitseva wrote. "The guards opened the window and told her there was nothing they could do. She couldn't get to the toilet or even get up. At 9 p.m., a nurse came in, threw her a diaper, and left. She tried to put it on, fell to the floor, and lay there until midnight, when they finally came and lifted her back onto the bed."
Zaitseva added that prison staff later recorded that Zinovkina had "refused to shower" and "missed the evening inspection," despite her being physically unable to move.
The next morning, Zinovkina reportedly managed to reach the toilet and dispose of the diapers. When the doctor returned, he told her she needed a neurologist but could only offer stronger pain medication with psychiatric approval.
Zinovkina and Gribul were both arrested on drug charges in connection with protests and sentenced on September 12 to eight and a half years in prison each. Both have denied the charges, claiming that drugs were planted on them because of their political activism.
