Eskova complained about violation of rights during detention and arrest

The husband of Sochi resident Olga Eskova, who was placed in a mental hospital, sent her appeal against her arrest. In it, the woman demanded that the administrative arrest for a pro-Ukrainian comment be lifted, stating that she was not allowed access to a lawyer and that pressure was being put on her.

"Caucasian Knot" wrote that 51-year-old Olga Eskova from Sochi was detained on July 10. The court sentenced her to 15 days of arrest for a pro-Ukrainian comment on Telegram, but after five days in a special detention center, she was transferred to a mental hospital. Eskova's relatives were informed that she attempted suicide. After the end of her arrest, the woman was not released from the mental hospital. The husband of Sochi resident Olga Eskova sent a complaint to the head of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation. Doctors are not saying when they plan to discharge Olga, and security forces intend to return her to the detention center to serve the remaining 10 days of her arrest.

Sochi resident Eduard Eskov visited his wife Olga Eskova at the Sochi Psychoneurological Dispensary (PND) on August 3, where she continues to be treated in a closed hospital without a specific diagnosis, he told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

According to Eskov, based on his wife's words, he drew up an appeal against the ruling of the Central District Court of Sochi dated July 11, 2025, which found her guilty under Part 1 of Article 20.3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation (propaganda or public display of Nazi paraphernalia or symbols, or other prohibited symbols). Eskova did not admit guilt. The complaint has already been sent by Eduard to the court via the post office (a copy of the complaint and the receipt for sending are at the disposal of the "Caucasian Knot").

 "Olga told me in a conversation that she still has not been served with the court ruling, so she does not consider the appeal deadline to have been missed. Moreover, after her arrest, her glasses were taken away, and she could not read the documents that she was forced to sign. At the PND, she was able to state everything in detail, and I rewrote her words in the complaint," said Eduard Eskov.

 In her appeal, Eskova asks the court to: reinstate the appeal deadline if it is deemed to have been missed, citing Article 30.3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation and her stay in the PND hospital; to cancel the court ruling of July 11 due to gross violations of her rights, including the absence of a lawyer, a ban on her husband's presence in court, forced signing of documents and psychological pressure; to request evidence from the temporary detention facility (the registration book of detainees, data on the conditions of detention and reports on the suicide attempt) and the mental hospital (an extract from the medical history and information on the reasons for hospitalization).

Eskova claims in her complaint that she was detained on July 10 at her workplace without an explanation of her rights and the opportunity to notify relatives or invite a lawyer. She spent the night at the police station on Gorky Street, 60, where, according to her, she was deprived of water, food and access to the toilet.

"The next day, she was not allowed to see her lawyer in court and they did not even allow me to be present. This violates Article 48 of the Constitution, Article 25.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses and Article 6 of the European Convention," Eduard Eskov added. After being placed in the temporary detention facility, Eskova attempted to commit suicide, after which she was hospitalized in the mental hospital, where she remains to this day.

What was done to her is a humiliation of human dignity and a violation of all legal norms

"We demand not only the cancellation of the decree, but also an investigation into the actions of the police and personnel IVS. What they did to her is a humiliation of human dignity and a violation of all legal norms,” he is sure.

According to Eduard, Olga intends to give him a power of attorney to handle all matters related to the restriction of her freedom and violation of her rights. As lawyers explained to Eskov, the power of attorney must be certified with the seal of the PND and the signature of the head physician, in the conditions of a closed institution. The spouses intend to deal with this issue on August 4.

A stay in a neuropsychiatric dispensary is not considered serving an administrative arrest, said lawyer Nikolay Belov.

“According to Article 3.9 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, the arrest is served in temporary detention facilities (IVS) or specialized reception centers. The PND is not a place for the execution of administrative punishment. If the court does not cancel the ruling, theoretically, after discharge from the PND, Eskova could be returned to serve the remaining term of arrest. However, this issue should be resolved taking into account her medical condition," the lawyer explained to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

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