Cystic fibrosis, a\u00a0life-threatening genetic disease that affects the mucous membranes in\u00a0the lungs and other organs, is\u00a0one of\u00a0the conditions that make it\u00a0illegal to\u00a0imprison a\u00a0person under Russian\u00a0law. Nonetheless, this summer, a\u00a0Moscow court sentenced a\u00a020-year-old with the disorder to\u00a0six years behind bars on\u00a0charges of\u00a0attempted drug distribution. Since her arrest, Yevgenia Lomakova\u2019s health has rapidly deteriorated, as\u00a0her incarceration has made it\u00a0impossible for her to\u00a0access the medicine she needs. Her family fears she won\u2019t survive until her release. Russia\u2019s Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN), meanwhile, has dismissed her diagnosis, claiming she doesn\u2019t have the disease at\u00a0all. Meduza explains how Lomakova ended up\u00a0in\u00a0the authorities\u2019 crosshairs and how her family is\u00a0trying to\u00a0save her.<\/p>\n
Yevgenia Lomakova was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis when she was two years old, according to\u00a0her older sister, Alexandra. \u201cI\u00a0was 10 at\u00a0the time and didn\u2019t really understand what it\u00a0meant,\u201d Alexandra told the outlet Takie Dela. \u201cThe doctor just told us\u00a0it\u00a0was a\u00a0severe condition and that my\u00a0sister wouldn\u2019t live past 18. For a\u00a0long time, I\u00a0lived with the thought that my\u00a0sister would die soon.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cystic fibrosis is\u00a0a\u00a0genetic disorder that disrupts the normal function of\u00a0the body\u2019s mucous membranes. It\u00a0causes thick, sticky mucus to\u00a0build up\u00a0in\u00a0various organs, making it\u00a0difficult to\u00a0breathe and increasing the risk of\u00a0infections. The disease affects not only the lungs and digestive system, but also nearly every organ in\u00a0the body. People with cystic fibrosis may experience recurring bronchitis and pneumonia, diabetes, liver cirrhosis, and problems absorbing nutrients.<\/p>\n
According to\u00a0Alexandra, the family took special care to\u00a0safeguard Yevgenia\u2019s health from a\u00a0young\u00a0age. However, after their mother suffered a\u00a0stroke and became unable to\u00a0work, Alexandra and Yevgenia both took on\u00a0the responsibility of\u00a0caring for her.<\/p>\n
Yevgenia was arrested in\u00a0December 2024. State prosecutors claimed she had worked as\u00a0a\u00a0drug dealer for several months and that investigators had found 27 grams of\u00a0mephedrone, scales, and packaging materials at\u00a0her home. Yevgenia partially admitted guilt, explaining that she had stopped dealing drugs before her arrest and was only storing leftover substances. She explained that she resorted to\u00a0illegal activity out of\u00a0financial desperation, as\u00a0her disability pension of\u00a026,000 rubles ($320) barely covered food, let alone the cost of\u00a0her medication.<\/p>\n
In\u00a0June 2025, a\u00a0Moscow court convicted Yevgenia of\u00a0attempted drug dealing. Although the prosecution sought a\u00a012-year sentence, the court reduced the sentence to\u00a0six years, citing her health condition.<\/p>\n
Reports by\u00a0The Insider<\/a> and Novaya Gazeta<\/a> note that people with cystic fibrosis are legally exempt from pre-trial detention and prison sentences in\u00a0Russia, based on\u00a0government decrees<\/a> stating<\/a> that \u201ccystic fibrosis with pulmonary manifestations and grade III respiratory insufficiency\u201d should preclude detention or\u00a0imprisonment.<\/p>\n Despite this, Takie Dela<\/a> reports that the court did not find grounds to\u00a0apply conditional sentencing in\u00a0Yevgenia\u2019s case. According to\u00a0the outlet, no\u00a0medical evidence confirming her cystic fibrosis was included in\u00a0the case file. It\u2019s unclear why this would have been the case.<\/p>\n \u2018Children shouldn\u2019t pay the price for political games\u2019 Russia switched children with cystic fibrosis to a drug never tested on humans. Parents say it\u2019s making them sicker \u2014 and Putin\u2019s friends richer.<\/a>\u2018Children shouldn\u2019t pay the price for political games\u2019 Russia switched children with cystic fibrosis to a drug never tested on humans. Parents say it\u2019s making them sicker \u2014 and Putin\u2019s friends richer.<\/a><\/p>\n Following her arrest, Yevgenia was placed under house arrest with numerous restrictions, including bans on\u00a0leaving home at\u00a0night and using communication devices. After her conviction, she was transferred to\u00a0a\u00a0detention center in\u00a0handcuffs.<\/p>\n Initially, Yevgenia was sent to\u00a0the Matrosskaya Tishina detention center\u2019s prison hospital, before being transferred to\u00a0Moscow\u2019s Detention Center No. 6. According to\u00a0her sister, during her time at\u00a0Matrosskaya Tishina, Yevgenia received inadequate medical care for her condition. \u201cThey didn\u2019t provide anything \u2014 just an\u00a0inhaler, which didn\u2019t help. We\u00a0had to\u00a0bring her medication ourselves. The pulmonologist there didn\u2019t understand cystic fibrosis and claimed it\u00a0wasn\u2019t a\u00a0serious condition. He\u00a0said people with it\u00a0live just fine,\u201d Alexandra told Takie Dela. Once she arrived at\u00a0Detention Center No. 6, Yevgenia began receiving antibiotics.<\/p>\n Alexandra managed to\u00a0arrange an\u00a0examination with\u00a0Dr. Stanislav Krasovsky, a\u00a0leading pulmonologist at\u00a0Moscow\u2019s Yudin City Clinical Hospital. Dr. Krasovsky concluded that Yevgenia\u2019s health had worsened significantly while in\u00a0detention, with her lung function now at\u00a0just 32 percent.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s a\u00a0massive decline,\u201d Alexandra said. \u201cAt\u00a0this rate, anything could happen. They don\u2019t have food that meets her dietary needs \u2014 she mainly eats instant noodles, mashed potatoes, and cookies. I\u00a0send her fruits, vegetables, and herbs. She now weighs only 45 kilograms (99 pounds).\u201d<\/p>\n Yevgenia requires a\u00a0daily medication called Trikafta, but it\u00a0can only be\u00a0dispensed after approval from a\u00a0special commission \u2014 a\u00a0process she couldn\u2019t complete before her verdict. \u201cNo\u00a0one expected her to\u00a0receive prison time,\u201d Alexandra explained. \u201cEveryone thought it\u00a0would be\u00a0conditional, due to\u00a0her illness. As\u00a0a\u00a0result, now they won\u2019t give her the medication she needs.\u201d<\/p>\n In\u00a0addition to\u00a0Trikafta, Yevgenia requires other medications, which Alexandra purchases with her own money. The detention center cannot provide these medications, as\u00a0they are difficult to\u00a0obtain, even for those with cystic fibrosis.<\/p>\n \u2018Branding people with a\u00a0stigma\u2019 HIV and hepatitis are spreading rapidly in\u00a0the Russian army. What does that mean for the soldiers living with these diagnoses?<\/a>\u2018Branding people with a\u00a0stigma\u2019 HIV and hepatitis are spreading rapidly in\u00a0the Russian army. What does that mean for the soldiers living with these diagnoses?<\/a><\/p>\n Yevgenia is\u00a0currently being held in\u00a0a\u00a0cell with 36 other inmates, which puts her at\u00a0a\u00a0high risk of\u00a0infection. Novaya Gazeta reports that her cellmates prevent her from using her inhaler and have threatened her over her frequent coughing fits during the night.<\/p>\n In\u00a0letters home, Yevgenia complains of\u00a0weakness, shortness of\u00a0breath, and dizziness. She fears she will die in\u00a0her next prison. \u201cMy\u00a0cellmate came here from the penal colony for further investigation,\u201d she wrote in\u00a0one. \u201cShe immediately told me, \u2018In\u00a0the colony, you won\u2019t make it\u00a0in\u00a0your condition \u2014\u00a0you won\u2019t even survive the transfer.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n According to\u00a0her sister, Yevgenia \u201cappears completely broken\u201d during family visits.<\/p>\n Yevgenia\u2019s defense lawyer has twice requested that the prison administration conduct a\u00a0medical examination but has received no\u00a0response. The family has filed complaints with the FSIN and other authorities. On\u00a0October 1, the family learned that the FSIN\u2019s special commission concluded\u00a0that Yevgenia does not have any serious health issues that would prevent her from being held in\u00a0detention. This decision came just before the Moscow City Court\u2019s appeal hearing on\u00a0October 2.<\/p>\n During that hearing, Yevgenia addressed the court, saying:<\/p>\n Right now, the question is\u00a0whether I\u2019ll survive. I\u00a0have a\u00a0rare genetic disease. My\u00a0lung insufficiency is\u00a0worsening. Pus is\u00a0forming in\u00a0my\u00a0lungs, and it\u2019s hard to\u00a0stop. My\u00a0condition can only be\u00a0managed with\u00a0medication. People with cystic fibrosis don\u2019t live long. I\u2019m so\u00a0scared to\u00a0go\u00a0to\u00a0prison. I\u00a0don\u2019t know if\u00a0I\u2019ll make it\u00a0there. For me, it\u00a0would be\u00a0a\u00a0death sentence.<\/p>\n My\u00a0condition is\u00a0not improving. If\u00a0I\u00a0stop the intravenous therapy, I\u2019ll only get worse. I\u2019m 20, and I\u2019m terrified my\u00a0life will end here. Please, let me\u00a0die at\u00a0home, surrounded by\u00a0my\u00a0family. Very few people with this disease live past 30. I\u00a0just want to\u00a0be\u00a0with my\u00a0loved ones. I\u2019m so\u00a0scared. I\u00a0don\u2019t want to\u00a0die so\u00a0young. I\u00a0know I\u2019ve done something wrong, but I\u00a0don\u2019t think my\u00a0punishment should be\u00a0death.<\/p>\n Yevgenia\u2019s defense team is\u00a0seeking to\u00a0have her charge reclassified as\u00a0possession of\u00a0drugs without intent to\u00a0distribute and to\u00a0secure a\u00a0non-custodial sentence for\u00a0her. After her first hearing, the Moscow City Court postponed its consideration of\u00a0the appeal until October 16.<\/p>\n Sign up for\u00a0The\u00a0Beet<\/p>\n Underreported\u00a0stories. Fresh\u00a0perspectives. From\u00a0Budapest to\u00a0Bishkek.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Cystic fibrosis, a\u00a0life-threatening genetic disease that affects the mucous membranes in\u00a0the lungs and other organs, is\u00a0one of\u00a0the conditions…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":111000,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[78],"tags":[18,135,19,17,1175,1170,1173,1162,1155,1167,1157,1168,1174,1163,1151,1158,1152,1160,1161,1153,1156,1154,1172,1166,1159,1171,1169,1165,1164],"class_list":{"0":"post-110999","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-health","8":"tag-eire","9":"tag-health","10":"tag-ie","11":"tag-ireland","12":"tag-1175","13":"tag-1170","14":"tag-1173","15":"tag-1162","16":"tag-1155","17":"tag-1167","18":"tag-1157","19":"tag-1168","20":"tag-1174","21":"tag-1163","22":"tag-1151","23":"tag-1158","24":"tag-1152","25":"tag-1160","26":"tag-1161","27":"tag-1153","28":"tag-1156","29":"tag-1154","30":"tag-1172","31":"tag-1166","32":"tag-1159","33":"tag-1171","34":"tag-1169","35":"tag-1165","36":"tag-1164"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/110999","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=110999"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/110999\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/111000"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=110999"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=110999"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=110999"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}