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London — A Last week A Russian scientist who flew to Moscow after being arrested in Siberia for national treason and suffering from advanced pancreatic cancer died, lawyers and family members said on Sunday.
Physicist Dmitry Colker, 54, was taken from a hospital bed, where he was fed through a tube and bundled into a four-hour or longer flight to Moscow. He died in Lefortov Prison and later in a nearby hospital.
His cousin, Anton Dianov, told Reuters in the United States that the accusations against laser experts were ridiculous for betraying China's state secrets.
"He was a scientist and loved his country. He received many invitations from major universities and research institutes to work abroad. Nevertheless, he worked in his country. He wanted to work in Russia, he wanted to teach students there, "he said.
"These accusations are absolutely ridiculous, very cruel, and rarely imposed on such a sick person. They know he is on his deathbed. He chose to arrest him. "
Family and lawyers said Colker was detained by the FSB's security service and his home was searched. They said the treason (with up to 20 years' imprisonment) was based on a lecture given by Colker in China, even if the content was approved by the FSB.
Reuters did not receive a reply to the email comment request from the FSB.
Attorney Alexander Fedurov told Reuters that he tried to contact the authorities on behalf of Colker, but was separated from the FSB's investigation department and prison.
He said he would file a legal allegation on the status of Colker's detention on Monday.
On Saturday, state news agency TASS said Russia had detained a second scientist in Novosibirsk on suspicion of national treason. It was not clear if the two cases were related.
In recent years, many Russian scientists have been arrested and charged with treason for handing over confidential materials to foreigners. Kremlin critics say arrests often result from unfounded delusions.
Cousin Dianov said Colker was also a very skilled concert pianist and organist who played in both Russia and Europe.
"For me, someone who was producing such a beautiful thing wouldn't have been able to blame him, and that's the way I remember him." He said, holding back tears. "That's Dima for me and my family." (Report by Reuters, edited by Alexandra Hudson)
