Journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna tried to cut her wrists in Russian captivity in front of guards to get psychological aid
Journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna attempted self-harm in Russian custody to prompt access to psychological support, reflecting her dire situation and mental health struggles during imprisonment.
Viktoriia Roshchyna, a journalist who tragically lost her life in Russian captivity, made numerous appeals for psychological assistance while detained at the Taganrog remand prison. According to a former prisoner, known as Brytva, Roshchyna was persistent in her requests for a psychologist, which went unanswered by the guards. Frustrated by the lack of support and the oppressive environment that required silence among inmates, she resorted to a desperate act of attempting to cut her wrists in hopes of eliciting a response from the prison staff.
Brytva described the harsh conditions Roshchyna faced in custody, noting that her behavior was seen as problematic by her captors. The demand for mental health support was particularly poignant given the psychological toll that prolonged detention without adequate care can impose on individuals. Roshchyna's attempts to articulate her distress were met with further isolation, illustrating the inhuman treatment of prisoners and the harsh realities of their circumstances within the prison system.
The report sheds light on the dire situation faced by journalists and other individuals detained in Russia, emphasizing the urgent need for psychological support in such settings. Roshchyna's tragic death raises significant concerns regarding the treatment of detainees and the lack of access to mental health resources in Russian prisons, highlighting broader issues of human rights violations that need to be addressed on an international level.