Defence achieves comfortable custody conditions for blogger Kharchenko* at SIZO

After his complaining about being kept in a damp basement of the Novorossiysk SIZO (pre-trial prison) and absence of medical care, Vadim Kharchenko*, a blogger from the city of Gelendjik, was transferred to more favourable custody conditions.

Kharchenko was transferred to more favourable custody conditions, Natalia Fedorenko, his advocate, has informed, noting that Vadim still disagree with the arrest and the charges. "He has also noted deterioration in his health condition after staying in torturous custody conditions in the basement since July 17," the advocate has added.

Natalia Fedorenko has stated that she does not treat Kharchenko's custody as lawful; besides, his illness – asthma, which is on the list of grave diseases – doesn't allow him to be kept in custody.

Kharchenko needs asthma aerosols and walks in the fresh air every day to prevent and treat his disease, the advocate has emphasized. "However, in the damp and stuffy basement of the SIZO building, without medical care, where he was held since July 17, his health condition worsened, and now he needs treatment," Ms Fedorenko has concluded.

*Included by the Russian Ministry of Justice (MoJ) into the register of foreign agents.