American Prisoners in Russia’s ‘Fashion Colony’ Make Clothes

• Russia’s IK-17 penal colony became known as the “Fashion Colony” in part because of its brightly painted exterior.
• American prisoners held there say they face poor working conditions and a lack of medical attention.
• This is likely the aim of detained reporter Evan Gershkovich, the WSJ reported.

American prisoners in Russia’s IK-17 penitentiary spend their days assembling clothing in toxic conditions and are regularly exposed to mold and airborne fabric particles, Wall Street Journal investigation revealed.

The prison is likely to be a destination for detained reporter Evan Gershkovich if he is convicted on espionage charges, the outlet reports.

Known as the “Fashion Colony” for its brightly painted exterior meant to mislead onlookers, IK-17 is about 300 miles east of Moscow, in Russia’s Mordovia region, according to the Wall Street Journal.

If Gershkovich were to be held at Fashion Colony, he would join three high-profile American prisoners already there: Jimmy Wilgus, Thomas Stwalley, and, most recently, Paul Whelan, an ex-marine who was detained in 2018, now serving a 16-year sentence. . on espionage charges which he denies.

The United States has classified Gershkovich and Whelan as wrongfully detained, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Prisoners at IK-17 had to assemble suits for the Russian company Technoavia, using materials that could leave mold on their hands. The investigation found that they also worked without air filtration, forcing them to inhale fabric particles.

A spokesperson for Technoavia told the Wall Street Journal that labor conditions are closely monitored by the state and production processes are halted if standards are not met.

Prisoners also do not have access to doctors or dental care, leaving inmates without access to necessary medicines, Wilgus told the outlet. Likewise, Whelan’s brother, David, told the Wall Street Journal that tooth problems can only be corrected by extractions.

Inmates and human rights activists also spoke about the conditions in solitary confinement. Wilgus told the Wall Street Journal that he once spent 100 days in confinement, reporting that guards secured beds to walls for long periods of time and forced inmates to sit on the floor or on benches for 16 hours each day.

As Gershkovich awaits trial, the US House of Representatives vote unanimously on June 13 to pass a resolution demanding the journalist’s immediate release. Nearly 40 US Senators as well write letter condemning his detention.