WHAT HAPPENED?

Pussy Riot Activist Pyotr Vezilov in Serious Condition, Was ‘Possibly Poisoned’

Group’s website issues plea for help from expert toxicologists “ASAP.”

One of the Pussy Riot activists who invaded the pitch at the World Cup final is reportedly seriously ill in a Russian hospital, and his relatives believe he may have been poisoned. Pyotr Verzilov reportedly fell ill after a court hearing Tuesday for fellow Pussy Riot activist Veronika Nikulshina. Nikulshina told the Meduza news website that Verzilov had complained of losing his sight, “then the ability to talk, then the ability to walk.” Verzilov is married to Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, the Pussy Riot member who was sentenced in 2012 to two years in jail for a performance at a Moscow cathedral, who has tweeted: “Pyotr may have been poisoned. In the toxicology department in a very serious condition.” There is no official word on his condition, but the official Pussy Riot Twitter account issued a call for help Thursday, posting “we need a contact of the best toxicologist, like the best in profession. we need a consultation ASAP. It’s about Peter who was poisoned.” Verzilov was jailed for 15 days after invading the World Cup final pitch in Moscow on July 15.