Jailed Gulag Historian in Stable But Precarious Condition After Suspected Stroke, Source Says

By Ned Garvey Oct. 1, 2026 Yuri Dmitriev. @zapravarf / Telegram Jailed gulag historian Yury Dmitriev is in stable condition after a suspected stroke, but concerns remain over his access to adequate medical care, a person familiar with his case told The Moscow Times on Thursday. Dmitriev, 70, is serving a 15-year sentence that his supporters see as retribution for his work uncovering Soviet-era atrocities as the head of human rights group Memorial’s branch in the republic of Karelia. He was transferred to a prison hospital in the republic of Mordovia on Friday after experiencing “loss of coordination and severe weakness” that left him unable to stand, prompting his supporters to warn that his life could be at risk if he is not moved to a civilian hospital immediately. Dmitriev is now conscious, moving around and has written a short note to his family, the source familiar with his case said, speaking on condition of anonymity for safety reasons. However, he is also experiencing problems with the left side of his body, including difficulty moving his left hand. While prison medics told Dmitriev that he had suffered a medical episode, he believes he had a stroke, the source said. “The prison hospital does not have the medical equipment necessary to understand the seriousness of the situation and whether it has stopped or is still in progress,” the source said. Dmitriev’s lawyer has submitted a written request to prison officials seeking proper medical care for him, the source said. The lawyer was denied access to Dmitriev over the weekend, with prison hospital staff confirming only that he was at the facility and “alive.” Staff later told the lawyer by phone that his condition was “stable” without providing further details. People corresponding with Dmitriev have reported a decline in his health since 2025, and his allies have repeatedly warned that securing his release is a matter of life and death. His support group said he had been placed in solitary confinement three times over the past four months for alleged infractions including performing morning exercises improperly and sitting on his bed before lights out. As the head of Memorial’s Karelia branch, Dmitriev spent decades locating and exhuming mass graves of people killed under Soviet dictator Josef Stalin's rule in the northwestern Russian republic that borders Finland. He was arrested in 2016 on child pornography charges and acquitted in 2018, but the acquittal was overturned. He was subsequently convicted of sexually assaulting his adopted daughter, and his sentence was increased to 15 years in 2021. He denies wrongdoing. Memorial, a co-recipient of the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize, has designated Dmitriev a political prisoner and says his prosecution appears linked to his work “preserving the memory of political repressions.” The group says that he has “not had a single full medical checkup” since his initial arrest in 2016. Read more about: Memorial , Human rights , Prison , Political prisoner Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more Feature This Imprisoned Mathematician Has Global Support. Will That Help Him in Russian Prison? Azat Miftakhov's recent transfer to a notorious Arctic prison — and the alleged torture he has faced — have left supporters fearing for his life. 8 Min read Jailed Russian Opposition Activist Mikhail Kriger Declares Hunger Strike Kriger declared a hunger strike in protest of his repeated placement in solitary confinement. 2 Min read Veteran Rights Activist Orlov Transferred Before Prison Sentence Begins Oleg Orlov’s wife had requested that her husband not be transferred to a new detention facility until his sentence began due to his poor health. 2 Min read Russian Prosecutors Seek 3-Year Jail Term for Memorial Co-Chair Orlov was fined 150,000 rubles earlier this month for publicly opposing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine under wartime censorship laws. 2 Min read