Russian Blogger Ilya Remeslo Committed to Psychiatric Hospital Following Criticism of Putin

Ilya Remeslo's Hospitalization

According to Главком: Russian blogger Ilya Remeslo, who published a post critical of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has been admitted to a psychiatric hospital. The incident occurred on March 19. Remeslo, a blogger who had previously been pro-government, stopped answering phone calls and disappeared from social media following the publication of his critical post. This case highlights the severe risks faced by critics of the Kremlin, even those who were once supportive.

Remeslo was hospitalized at the Skvortsov-Stepanov Psychiatric Hospital No. 3, located in St. Petersburg. According to available information, he is being held in Ward 16, which specializes in treating men exhibiting symptoms of a mental disorder for the first time. Founded in 1870, this hospital has a long history and was used for punitive psychiatry during the Soviet era. In 1976, Soviet dissident Alexander Skobov was held in this same facility, drawing a stark historical parallel.

Reaction to Criticism

After publishing his critical post about Putin, Remeslo began receiving calls from acquaintances within the security services, suggesting an official reaction to his statements. In a separate but related development, Russian activist Daria Kozyreva, who was convicted for reciting poetry by Taras Shevchenko, has been released from a penal colony in the city of Kineshma. The court additionally fined Kozyreva 40,500 rubles in a case concerning the "discreditation" of the Russian army.

“Ukraine is a free country, a free nation, and it will decide its own fate. If anyone broadcasts the narratives of the aggressor, Ukrainians will hate them.” - Daria Kozyreva

The situation surrounding Ilya Remeslo and the reaction to his statements underscores the heightened tensions within Russian society and the severe consequences for criticizing the authorities. Remeslo's case is likely intended to serve as a warning to others who might consider voicing dissent about the political situation in the country. These events point to an intensifying government crackdown on public discourse and a further erosion of free speech in Russia.

The situation surrounding Ilya Remeslo is not an isolated incident, as similar tensions are evident in the Russian media landscape. Recently, a Russian propagandist made five serious allegations against Putin regarding the ongoing war, reflecting growing dissent within the country. To explore how these accusations further illustrate the risks faced by those who challenge the Kremlin, read more in our detailed report on the accusations against Putin.