Moscow court refuses to release political scientist Alexander Kynev, who has a broken leg

The Moscow City Court has refused to release Russian political scientist Alexander Kynev from pretrial detention. He is charged with attempted drug dealing, according to the independent outlet Mediazona. Kynev has been in custody since his arrest on September 25 and denies the charge.

What Kynev and his lawyer said

At the hearing, which Kynev joined by video link, he said he could not walk normally because of his injuries. He said he reached the room used for the link only by climbing flight after flight of stairs and crossing cold floors, even though his leg was essentially in a cast.

His lawyer, Vera Goncharova, said the injuries were inflicted during the arrest. In her words, if Kynev does not soon receive medical care, he will be left with a permanent disability. She described his continued detention as inhumane.

The hospital summary

Judge Natalya Nikishina reviewed a hospital discharge summary. It states that Kynev was treated in a surgical ward for a closed fracture from September 25 to October 8. He was discharged in satisfactory condition, and the document says he can walk independently with the aid of a cane.

What is known about the injury

The legal reporting project Slovo Zashchite reported that Kynev was severely beaten during his arrest and diagnosed with two fractures of the lower leg. Political scientist Ekaterina Schulmann said his leg was broken while he was being pressured to plead guilty to treason. She did not say where she obtained that information.