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The political scientist Aleksandr Kynev, who stopped eating in remand prison SIZO-4 “Medved” after breaking his leg, has been moved to another cell. This was reported by “Word to the Defence” quoting his lawyer, Mikhail Biryukov.
According to the lawyer, Kynev is now in a cell with “decent sanitary equipment” and four cellmates. Previously, he was being held in a cell designed for 34 people, with 35 detainees inside.
“Aleksandr is deeply moved by the support people are sending him in letters—often from people he didn’t know before—and thanks everyone,” the lawyer also wrote.
Kynev was detained on 25 September in a case over attempted large-scale drug dealing (paragraph “g” of part 4 of article 228.1 of the Criminal Code). The political scientist denies any guilt. After his arrest, he was diagnosed with two fractures of the shinbone. “Word to the Defence” reported the injuries may have resulted from torture. Moscow’s Federal Penitentiary Service stated it found no violations of his rights, nor use of torture or degrading treatment.
For a while, Kynev was in Matrosskaya Tishina hospital in Moscow, and in mid-October he was transferred to SIZO-4 “Medved.” There, Kynev was placed in an overcrowded cell where, instead of a toilet, there was just a hole in the floor. Because of a cast running from his hip to his toes, he wasn’t able to use it, and he stopped eating until his conditions improved.
Aleksandr Kynev is a political scientist and expert on Russian elections and regional politics. He has studied election campaigns and violations for many years. In February 2026, the Ministry of Justice added him to its list of “foreign agents.”