The husband of jailed Russian punk musician Nadezhda Tolokonnikova said Friday he hopes to see her next week at a prison in Siberia, after having been unable to contact her for nearly a month.
Pyotr Verzilov told RIA Novosti that he had spoken with his wife by phone, who reportedly said she is in good health but is undergoing routine medical tests.
Prison authorities at the penal colony in the Krasnoyarsk region confirmed Thursday that Tolokonnikova had arrived, ending long speculation over her whereabouts.
Tolokonnikova was transferred from a penal colony in the republic of Mordovia last month after launching repeated hunger strikes in protest against the prison conditions.
She then disappeared for nearly a month, during which time authorities declined to confirm her location and relatives said they were unable to contact her, prompting outrage and concern about her safety.
The 24-year-old member of the punk band Pussy Riot is serving a two-year sentence for participating in an anti-Kremlin performance in a Moscow cathedral in 2012. She is due to be released next March.
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.
Remind me later.
