Repressive Psychiatry Due to Political Views Returns to Russia.

In Russia, the number of people undergoing forced psychiatric treatment due to their political views has increased, especially since the start of the war in Ukraine. This was reported by 'Glavcom' citing Reuters.

According to Reuters, two women who ended up in forced treatment have been released from it.

One of the women, Ekaterina Fatyanova, was sent to a psychiatric hospital after being accused of discrediting the Russian army due to a published article in a newspaper. She notes that she was not the author of the article. During her stay in the hospital, she underwent unpleasant procedures, including a gynecological examination. After the examination, doctors determined that she had no mental disorders or diseases and discharged her from the hospital.

The journalist Ekaterina Fatyanova believes that she was subjected to forced treatment due to her active civic stance.

Another case involves Olga Suvorova, who was arrested after being accused of false statements regarding a meeting with an opposition politician. She also underwent unnecessary procedures but refused to sign a consent document for treatment. After complaints about her treatment, she was also discharged from the hospital, having a medical document stating the absence of mental disorders.

According to the human rights center 'Memorial', there are currently at least 48 individuals involved in politically motivated cases undergoing forced psychiatric treatment in Russia. Of these, 46 are in psychiatric hospitals, while two receive outpatient treatment while serving prison sentences.

Increase in Forced Psychiatric Treatment

In recent years, particularly since the start of the war in Ukraine, the number of people being subjected to forced psychiatric treatment due to political views has increased. According to Reuters, the women sent for examination and treatment have been released from it. However, there are many other cases where individuals are found to have imaginary mental disorders to use repressive measures against them.

As a result, people end up in psychiatric hospitals, where they are subjected to painful procedures and forced to sign documents, with no access to daily walks or quality food. Cases of forced psychiatric treatment often have a political character and resemble practices used in the Soviet Union.