Rights group says Russian elections expert Alexander Kynev was beaten during arrest, hospitalized with two lower-leg fractures

Political scientist Alexander Kynev was severely beaten during his arrest for allegedly attempting to distribute drugs, according to the human rights group Slovo Zashchite. The expert, a well-known authority on Russian regional politics and elections, is currently hospitalized at Moscow’s Matrosskaya Tishina pretrial detention center.

Following his arrest, medical examinations revealed that Kynev suffered fractures in two places on his shinbone; his leg is now in a cast and his condition is described as fair. Slovo Zashchite claims Kynev's injuries were inflicted through torture. The Moscow office of Russia’s Federal Penitentiary Service is currently investigating the incident.

Kynev’s attorney, Mikhail Biryukov, could not confirm or deny the human rights group’s allegations. Another source confirmed to Mediazona that Kynev had been admitted to the hospital. Kynev was charged with attempting to distribute a significant amount of drugs under Article 228.1, Paragraph (g) of Russia's Criminal Code, which can result in a 10 to 20 year prison sentence.

Kynev denies the charge. Designated as a "foreign agent" by Russian authorities, Kynev is considered one of the most respected experts on Russian elections.