Scientist Kachin Launches Dry Hunger Strike in Izhevsk Detention…
Geodesic scientist Valery Kachin, sentenced to 14 years in prison for treason, declared a dry fast due to mistreatment in the pre-trial detention center. Kachin himself reported on the fast in one of his letters.
Consensus
- Valeriy Kachin is a geodesist from Birobidzhan who was convicted of treason in January 2025 and sentenced to 14 years in a strict-regime colony.
- Kachin is currently held in IK-1 (SIZO-1) in Izhevsk, Udmurtia.
- He has begun a dry hunger strike, refusing both food and water.
- Kachin claims he was subjected to physical violence, including being thrown on the floor and sustaining bruises to his face, elbows, and knees.
- He alleges that prison staff forced him to lift and lower a heavy metal bed despite not being required to do so.
- He reports that staff conduct nighttime inspections and confiscate personal belongings.
- Kachin has been held in solitary confinement for a total of 47 days across multiple periods: 7, then 10, then two periods of 15 days.
- He weighs 60 kilograms at a height of 182 centimeters.
- Kachin previously went on a hunger strike in September 2025 while in IK-8 'Kokhryaki' in Udmurtia after spending over two months in SHIZO.
- The sources cite the project 'Pervyy Otdel' as the source of Kachin's letter detailing the events.
- Kachin was arrested in September 2022 and worked as a junior scientific researcher at the 'Bastak' nature reserve before his arrest.
Points of divergence
- Kachin previously refused food and water in September 2025 at IK-8 'Kokhryaki', citing inability to maintain a vegan diet and receive food parcels. — novaya_eu
- Kachin was accused by FSB of transmitting classified infrastructure data from the Jewish Autonomous Oblast to Ukrainian special services and of planning to join the Ukrainian Armed Forces. — tg_dwglavnoe
- A new criminal case was opened against Kachin in July 2026 for justifying terrorism, based on a statement comparing Ukrainian special forces to Wagner Group fighters. — tg_dwglavnoe
- A new case against Kachin for justifying terrorism was filed in July 2026 and submitted to the Central Military District Court in Samara, with hearings scheduled to begin in October 2026. — mediazona
- Kachin was added to the list of terrorists and extremists by Rosfinmonitoring. — mediazona
- Kachin's trial for the new case is scheduled to be held in Samara, with the date not yet announced. — tg_sotavisionmedia
- Kachin was transferred to IK-8 'Kokhryaki,' where he spent over two months in SHIZO and went on a hunger strike. — tg_severrealii
- Kachin was transferred to IK-8 'Konkhraki' and spent over two months in SHIZO before a hunger strike. — tg_sibrealii
Coverage (12 sources)
- Prisoner sentenced to 14 years, scientist Valery Kachin declared a hunger strike after abuse and violence in pretrial detention — BBC News Русская служба
- Academic Valery Kachin, convicted of "state treason", declared a dry fast in the Izhovsk detention center — Новая газета Европа
- Prisoner of state treason scientist Valery Kachin declared a dry fast in Izhevsk prison — ЭХО / Новости
- Academic Kachin, convicted of treason, declared a dry fast — DW Главное
- Geodesic scientist Valery Kachin, sentenced to 14 years in prison for treason, declared a dry fast due to abuse... — The Insider
- Geodesist from Birobidzhan Valery Kachin, convicted in a treason case, declared a dry fast; in the autumn his new case was submitted to court — Медиазона
- «Tell everyone»: political prisoner surveyor Valery Kachin declared a dry fast after complaints of violence in the pre-trial detention center — SOTAvision
- Academic convicted of treason declared hunger strike due to abuse by prison staff — Север.Реалии
- Academic convicted of treason declared hunger strike due to abuse by prison staff — Сибирь.Реалии
- Geodesist Valery Kachin, sentenced for treason, declared a dry fast. He accused detention center staff of torture — Meduza
- Academic Valery Kachin, convicted of treason, declared a dry fast in the Izhovsk detention center — Настоящее Время
- Geodesic scientist Valery Kachin from Birobidzhan, convicted in the 'state treason' case, declared a dry fast in Izhevsk prison — Idel.Реалии
Key entities
- Valery Kachin
- Birobidzhan
- First Department
- Pre-trial detention center
- Izhevsk
- Prison No. 1
- Udmurtia
- Izhevsk Prison
- Ob
- O
- Prison 39-year-old Kachin
- Prison «Tell Everyone»