Trans man in Russia arrested for importing testosterone

by Tim Gibson

A transgendered man in Russia has been arrested for importing testosterone into the country to aid his own transition. Vladislav had been buying the hormone online for nearly a year and half without any problems. He was forced to import them from neighbouring Belarus after it became clear it was next to impossible to get adequate medical attention in Russia.

He was arrested in November of last year when he went to the post office to collect his hormones. He was stopped by two customs agents who said they had received a tip that he was smuggling in illegal drugs. They then interrogated him, asking if he was an athlete or whether he was selling the drugs in Russia. “I immediately said: ‘I’m transgender, and I need it.’” Vladislav told Zona Media, “They were very surprised very much.”

Vladislav claims he didn’t even know it was illegal. He’s been charged with smuggling super potent substances and faces five to ten years in prison.

Trans activists groups are now fighting for Vladislav’s case with Trans* Coalition calling for international attention to the issue. “Transgender men who have decided to transition usually take testosterone for life,” they said in a statement, “The criminal prosecution of a trans person who needs medical care is inhuman and inadequate to international legal norms.”

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