Russian poetess faces Soviet-style spell in psychiatric ward

Russian happiness guru faces psychiatric ward

MOSCOW — Prominent Russian rights activists have criticized the treatment of a poet who has been ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation.

They say a court’s decision regarding Russian Yulia Privedyonnaya is a dangerous throwback to Soviet times, when authorities routinely subjected dissidents to forced psychiatric treatment.

At a news conference held by the activists on Thursday, Soviet-era dissident Sergei Kovalyov said Privedyonnaya’s case is part of a long-standing effort by authorities to enforce political conformity.

Privedyonnaya is a member of group that tries to spread happiness through poetry.

Authorities have accused her of mistreating children in the group’s custody. She also was charged in 2008 with belonging to an illegal armed group.