Igor Baryshnikov, a 64-year-old political activist from the Kaliningrad region, was sentenced to 7.5 years in a general regime penal colony for “spreading fake information” about the Russian army. Despite a serious medical condition requiring urgent surgery, Baryshnikov spent over a year waiting for an operation while confined in custody.
Baryshnikov has been diagnosed with prostate hyperplasia — an abnormal enlargement of the prostate gland. To manage the condition, doctors installed a cystostomy tube in his abdomen to drain urine. Medical experts warned that without timely surgery, his condition could worsen, potentially leading to life-threatening complications, including suspected cancer. However, the court refused to grant him permission to undergo surgery outside detention, forcing him to endure a year of treatment under extremely difficult circumstances.
The charges against Baryshnikov stemmed from his social media posts criticizing the Russian military's actions in Ukraine, including references to the sinking of the cruiser Moskva and civilian killings in Bucha. The investigation began in May 2022, triggered by his Facebook posts, which the authorities deemed “public dissemination of knowingly false information about the use of the Russian armed forces,” motivated by political hatred. After a lengthy trial, the court sentenced him in June 2023, despite pleas from his lawyers highlighting his severe health condition and the fact that he cared for his 97-year-old, bedridden mother.
Throughout the process, Baryshnikov’s health deteriorated significantly. The installed cystostomy tube made daily life painful and exhausting. His doctors confirmed the urgency of surgical intervention, with consultations scheduled in clinics in Saint Petersburg. However, the detention authorities refused to allow the operation outside the penal system. The human rights center representing Baryshnikov appealed to the UN Human Rights Committee, which in August 2023 demanded Russia provide immediate medical care.
Finally, on September 25, 2023, Baryshnikov underwent prostate surgery in a regional hospital. The results of the postoperative histology have not yet been disclosed. His treating urologist, Vadim Epifantsev, who fled Russia due to pressure, noted that Baryshnikov’s recovery depends heavily on the quality of post-surgical care, ideally outside prison.
Sadly, Baryshnikov’s mother passed away in August 2023, shortly after his sentencing. She had been his primary caregiver before his arrest. After the verdict, the court transferred her to social care against the family’s wishes, even though she was legally competent.
Baryshnikov’s case highlights the severe consequences of Russia’s crackdown on political dissent under the pretext of combating “fake news,” especially when combined with neglect of prisoners’ medical needs. It raises critical questions about human rights, medical ethics, and the state’s treatment of political prisoners.
