21/02/2008 - Alexander Podrabinek, commentator for Novaya gazeta, spent 5.5 years in a Soviet labour camp for his book “Punitive Medicine” (1980) about the abuse of psychiatry in the USSR
If Aleksanyan faced the threat of attack he would need not to be chained to his bed but, on the contrary, given greater freedom so that he might defend himself or get away. Evidently, he is being chained up so that he cannot get off the ward. This is, naturally, a form of restraint. As a rule, such measures are applied to those whose case files are marked, in the jargon, by a “red stripe”, i.e. that so-and-so has previously made attempts to escape. Aleksanyan, however, is in such a condition that it is quite unnecessary to chain him up. Their vigilance exceeds all bounds. With regard to Yukos the authorities adopt extreme measures of caution and security, and the prison sentences are also excessive. Obviously, such an order was issued, or such an approach has been adopted, and all now understand what is required of them.
