Sentsov ends hunger strike

Oleg Sentsov, the
Ukrainian political dissident imprisoned by Russia on terrorism charges,
announced through his lawyer on Oct. 5 that he would end his hunger strike the
next day. In a handwritten statement released by his lawyer, Sentsov said he
was forced to abandon his hunger strike because of the “critical state of his
health” and the impending threat of hospitalization and force-feeding, reported
the independent.co.uk news site. “This means that he is in critical condition,
practically beyond the limit,” Ukraine’s human rights ombudsman Liudmyla
Denisova wrote on her Facebook page. She said Russian authorities placed
enormous pressure on Sentsov to end his hunger strike as his condition
worsened. They are making false claims that his health is satisfactory, without
providing the necessary medical documentation to prove this, she said.

Sentsov launched his
hunger strike on May 14 to demand the release of 65 Ukrainian political
prisoners being held in Russia. He has received nutrition only from glucose and
vitamins. He was convicted by the Russian government on Aug. 2015 for allegedly
plotting terrorist acts in his native Crimea, which had been illegally annexed
by the Russian government. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison and is being
incarcerated in Russia’s northernmost prison.

Zenon Zawada: Senstov
has become the international symbol of Ukraine’s struggle for independence from
Russia, having replaced the disgraced Nadia Savchenko. A living Sentsov will be
better for the Ukrainian cause, and efforts to release political and war
prisoners, than had he passed away. We expect he will rest and launch a similar
campaign when his condition is renewed.