Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Anti-Kremlin Activist Treated in Berlin for Suspected Poisoning

by VOA News

   An anti-Kremlin activist is being treated in a Berlin hospital for what
   members of the Pussy Riot band have called poisoning.

   The publisher of a Russian online news outlet that criticizes the
   government, Pyotr Verzilov, reportedly lost his vision, hearing, and
   ability to walk Tuesday, following a court hearing

   Verzilov was treated in a Moscow hospital last week, but was flown to
   Germany late Saturday on a flight chartered by the Cinema for Peace
   Foundation, which has long supported his and punk band Pussy Riot's
   anti-Kremlin activism.

   Verzilov's wife, band member Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, told the German
   newspaper Bild she believed he was poisoned. Another member of the
   band, Veronika Nikulshina, told a Russian website it was "definitely
   poisoning".

   His collapse Tuesday followed a 15-day sentence he served with
   Nikulshina and two other members of the band for storming the soccer
   field during the World Cup final in July to highlight Russian police
   abuses.