A Russian PhD student detained in Georgia has been diagnosed with a pre-heart attack condition after suffering a hypertensive crisis in her cell, according to the Telegram channel Baza.
Tatyana Kurashkevich, 54, a specialist in international trade, has been held in a Georgian detention facility since June 5. On July 16 she suffered a hypertensive crisis in her cell. A prison doctor subsequently diagnosed her with hypertension, a pre-diabetic condition, and general weakness, and noted that she requires surgery to remove a support plate from her ankle, Baza reported.
Human rights advocates say Kurashkevich is not receiving the medication or timely treatment she needs. They described her cell as overcrowded, with less than three square meters per person, no ventilation, and no outdoor access, despite Georgian law entitling detainees to one hour outside each day.
Human rights defender Ivan Melnikov filed an appeal with the International Committee of the Red Cross citing violations of international law and detention standards. The committee accepted the appeal.
Kurashkevich is charged with facilitating the export of spare parts to Russia in circumvention of sanctions. She faces up to 20 years in prison on three of the counts against her and up to 10 years on a fourth, according to Baza.
