'Putin Jeongjeok' Navalny Begins Hunger Strike

Complaint About Not Receiving Treatment for Back and Leg Pain

Alexei Navalny Photo by Reuters

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] Alexei Navalny, the political opponent of Russian President Vladimir Putin and opposition leader currently imprisoned, has begun a hunger strike.

According to foreign media including the Associated Press on the 31st of last month (local time), Navalny started the hunger strike on that day because prison officials are not providing him with the necessary medical treatment. He is reportedly experiencing severe unexplained pain in his back and legs.

Navalny stated through an Instagram account run by his associates, "The prison authorities are not providing the medication needed to treat my health issues," and "I have also been prohibited from seeing a doctor." He added, "There was no other option but to start a hunger strike," and "I will continue the hunger strike until I am allowed to see a doctor." According to Navalny’s side, the prison authorities are currently only administering painkillers to him.

His lawyers reported that the pain, which started in his back, has spread to his legs, and he is now partially paralyzed in his legs, making it difficult for him to walk properly. On the other hand, the prison authorities deny this, stating that Navalny is undergoing regular medical examinations and that his health condition is good.

Navalny’s side believes that the cause of the pain he is experiencing is likely a sequela from poisoning last year. Previously, Navalny collapsed on a plane in August last year due to poisoning symptoms and received treatment in Germany.

After completing treatment, he returned to Russia from Germany in January and was immediately arrested by authorities at the Russian airport. He had received a suspended sentence in 2014 related to fraud and embezzlement charges, but the suspension was revoked because he failed to comply with the obligation to report to the supervisory agency, and he is currently serving a 2 year and 6 month prison sentence.

Following Navalny’s arrest, anti-government protests demanding his release have taken place across Russia, with approximately 11,000 people arrested so far.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.