Pussy Riot member Peter Verzilov is recuperating from a recent serious illness. Verzilov was hospitalized Wednesday, September 12th at Moscow’s Bakhrushin City Clinical Hospital. The day prior, Verzilov fell ill upon returning home from a court appearance.
Partner and fellow Pussy Riot member Veronika Nikulshina, relayed to Russian media outlet Meduza that Peter began having discomfort. His symptoms worsened to weakening eye sight, speech loss, and diminished mobility. Verzilov was able to answer questions regarding his activities. He denied eating or ingesting any medicine/drugs before falling into convulsions and losing consciousness.
Verzilov was transferred to Moscow’s Sklifosovsky Institute where doctors ruled out the risk of a brain hemorrhage. A source close to the situation stated Verzilov was “in fact, in a pre-stroke condition,” saying his blood work revealed “no drugs other than the ones the doctors gave him.”
Was Peter Verzilov Poisoned?
Those close to Peter Verzilov, however, suspected foul play, fearing he had been poisoned. His mother noted that Verzilov’s ultrasound and CT scan “showed no vascular changes whatsoever.”
Pussy Riot’s Twitter account noted the following:
hi.
we need a contact of the best toxicologist, like the best in profession. we need a consultation ASAP.
It’s about Peter who was poisoned.
thanks
— 𝖕𝖚𝖘𝖘𝖞 𝖗𝖎𝖔𝖙 (@pussyrrriot) September 13, 2018
Peter Verzilov’s condition has improved as of Friday, with family intending to transfer him to Berlin under the care of a private family doctor.
Peter Verzilov – History
Peter Verzilov has been an artist/activist for the better part of the millennium, as both an artist and as a publisher of media property Mediadzona and a member of Pussy Riot. His public anti-Kremlin and anti-Vladamir Putin stances paint him as a target for possible political retribution.
On July 15, 2018, Verzilov and Nikulshina, along with two other activists, interrupted the Russian-hosted World Cup final game. The four dressed as police cadets and ran onto the field. Putin was present at the match. They were subsequently arrested and served 15 days in jail.
