The Russian pianist Pavel Kusjnir has died in a Russian prison camp in Birobidzhan, according to his mother, who spoke to the independent Russian Mediazona on Monday.
Pavel Kusjnir, a classically trained pianist, was imprisoned in November 2022 after criticizing the Kremlin, Putin, and Russia's war in Ukraine in YouTube videos. He was accused of inciting terrorism.
According to the organization Rus Sidyashchaya (Russia Behind Bars), which defends prisoners in Russia, Kusjnir died after going on a hunger strike and stopping drinking water.
He was 39 years old.