The story of Joseph Tater, a U.S. citizen awaiting trial in Moscow, took a dramatic turn when he was forcibly admitted to a psychiatric hospital. This article explores the circumstances surrounding the hospitalization of a U.S. citizen in Russia and the key details of Mr. tater’s case. Learn about the legal proceedings, medical evaluations, and geopolitical context defining the situation involving this U.S.citizen in Russia, providing a comprehensive understanding of this complex issue.
U.S.Citizen Awaiting Trial in Russia Sent to Psychiatric Hospital
Moscow — A U.S. citizen, Joseph Tater, 46, detained in Russia and awaiting trial on charges of assaulting a police officer, has been forcibly admitted to a psychiatric hospital, according to the state-run TASS news agency [[1, 2]].
Key Developments
- Arrest and Charges: mr. Tater was arrested in Moscow in August on charges of assaulting a police officer after allegedly harassing hotel employees.
- Potential Sentence: If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison.
- Court Approval: The Meshchansky District Court in Moscow approved the involuntary hospitalization based on a request from doctors, citing signs of mental illness.
Psychiatric Evaluation
A medical commission from Moscow’s Alexeyev Psychiatric Clinical Hospital conducted an evaluation on March 15. The commission reported that Mr. Tater exhibited:
- “tension,impulsiveness [and] delusional ideas” [[3]].
- A sense of persecution.
- “a lack of critical attitude toward his state” [[3]].
The exact date when the court issued the hospitalization order remains unclear.
Background: Serbsky Center
Earlier in the investigation, Mr. Tater underwent psychiatric evaluation at Moscow’s Serbsky State Scientific Center for Social and Forensic Psychiatry. This facility gained notoriety during the Soviet era for diagnosing political dissidents with mental illnesses.
Legal proceedings
- Trial Date: Mr. Tater’s trial is scheduled to begin on April 14.
- Release and Hospitalization: He was reportedly released from pre-trial detention on March 13 but has now been hospitalized.
- Defense Appeal: His defense lawyer has appealed the hospitalization, accusing authorities of seeking to
isolate the defendant from society
[[3]].
Context: U.S. Citizens Detained in Russia
Russia has arrested several U.S. citizens in recent years on various charges. These range from espionage and discrediting the Russian army to petty theft and domestic disputes [[1, 2]].
Tater’s Claims and Asylum Request
During a court hearing in September, Mr. tater stated his desire to renounce his U.S. citizenship and demanded the departure of U.S. embassy officials. He also claimed that the CIA had targeted him for years.
Tater’s lawyer told the judge that his client had traveled to Russia “to seek political asylum due to persecution by U.S. authorities.”
Tater’s Lawyer
Geopolitical Backdrop
Amid rising tensions between Russia and the West, notably concerning the war in Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin has been easing pathways for Western citizens to relocate to Russia on political grounds.
