ARAP RELEASED FROM PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 004091

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/21/2017
TAGS: PHUM PGOV RS
SUBJECT: ARAP RELEASED FROM PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL

REF: MOSCOW 3953

Classified By: Political Counselor Alice G. Wells for reason 1.4 (d).


1. (C) Summary: United Civic Front activist Larissa Arap was
released from the Apetity psychiatric hospital on August 20,
after being hospitalized against her will for more than six
weeks. The hospital required her to agree to follow
outpatient therapy before they would allow her to leave.
United Civic Front spokeswoman Marina Litvinovich credited
Human Rights Ombudsman Lukin's interest and intervention in
the case in getting Arap released early. End Summary.


2. (SBU) On August 20, The Apetity psychiatric hospital
released United Civic Front (UCF) activist Larissa Arap to
her family. The hospital, which has not publicly commented
on the case, required Arap to agree in writing to follow an
outpatient course of treatment, according to press reports.
Only six days earlier, the head of the Apetity hospital,
Evgeney Zinin, said that Arap would hospitalized for at least
two weeks until her condition had improved to the point where
"she is no longer a danger to others."


3. (C) UCF spokesman Marina Litvinovich told us that Human
Rights Ombudsman Vladimir Lukin's activism was responsible
for securing Arap's early release. (On August 15, Lukin told
us that while he was disappointed in the court's August 10
decision to continue Arap's hospitalization, he would
continue his interest in the case.) UCF Murmansk Chairwoman
Yelena Vasilevna told our consulate in St. Petersburg that
UCF leader Garry Kasparov has offered his support for Arap's
medication and outpatient treatment.


4. (SBU) In a press interview, Arap claimed that she signed
the agreement in order to be released, but vowed to continue
her fight against the hospital authorities in court in order
to clear her name and to remove any leverage that the
Murmansk hospital officials might have to attempt to
re-commit her. On August 22, the Murmansk court will review
the original July 18 decision to commit her.


5. (C) Comment: Previously, Lukin has played a forceful
behind-the-scenes role in combating the abuse of psychiatric
hospitalizations. His public success in helping to secure
Arap's early release brings credit to the Ombudsman's office,
while airing an issue that requires remedial attention.
Melville