Pussy Riot band member conscious again after suspected poisoning
|Published
ILL: Pyotr Verzilov, who ran onto the pitch during the World Cup final between France and Croatia. Photo: Reuters ILL: Pyotr Verzilov, who ran onto the pitch during the World Cup final between France and Croatia. Photo: Reuters
A prominent member of Russian punk band Pussy Riot has
regained consciousness following a suspected poisoning, according to
a person close to him.
Petr Verzilov, one of several Pussy Riot members who protested at the
World Cup final in Moscow in July, is no longer in the intensive care
unit at the hospital in Moscow, fellow band member Veronika
Nikulshina told the Russian online news portal rtvi.com on Friday.
The government critic was brought to the hospital on Tuesday with
impairments to his sight, speech and consciousness.
It is believed that he ingested a powerful medication that suppresses
the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. According to media reports,
doctors found evidence of strong psychotropic drugs in his blood
tests.
Verzilov was one of four Pussy Riot protesters who, dressed in
police-style outfits, stormed the pitch during the World Cup final
between France and Croatia.
The protesters served 15 days in jail for the incident, which the
band said they conducted to demand greater political choice in Russia
and the release of political prisoners.