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Neurologist Mikhail Fetisov has stated during a session of the Vyborg District Court in St Petersburg that he was beaten in the remand centre, reports SOTAvision. Fetisov is on trial for alleged military “fakes” and for calls to engage in activity against state security (Clause “d” of Part 2, Article 207.3 of the Criminal Code, Clause “v” of Part 2, Article 280.4 of the Criminal Code).
According to Fetisov, on 1 September, a remand centre officer named Nikolai beat him in his cell: kneeing him in the stomach, hitting his head with his hands, twisting his arms behind his back, and using painful holds. Fetisov claims that as a result he lost consciousness, later developed bruising around his eyes, and experienced short-term memory loss.
Fetisov said that, before the assault, he had been speaking in his cell with the on-duty medic about his severe anaemia. According to Fetisov, his haemoglobin level was 74. The prosecutor stated that Fetisov’s claims should be checked, and the court ordered that the materials be sent to the Investigative Committee.
Fetisov’s case is connected with his publication of a video explaining how to surrender as a prisoner of war, as well as comments on VKontakte in which he criticised the actions of Russian military personnel and wrote about the torture of a Ukrainian prisoner of war. Fetisov denies the charges.
Mikhail Fetisov worked as a neurologist in a St Petersburg hospital. After a severe case of COVID-19 that left him on a ventilator for a month, he was granted third-degree disability status. In summer 2024, Fetisov’s flat was searched—which, according to Mediazona reported, led him to resign from the hospital on health grounds. He was out of work for about a year before finding a job as a watchman at a kindergarten. On 15 October 2025, Fetisov was detained and placed in a remand centre.