Today marks day 145 of Sentsov’s hunger strike, which he began on 14 May to urge the Russian authorities to release all Ukrainian nationals currently imprisoned in Russia on politically motivated grounds.
A letter written by Sentsov, first posted here, explains he has been forced to end the hunger strike as his health is in a ‘critical condition’. The letter follows below in English and Russian:
To all those who are still interested!
Due to the critical condition of my health, as well as pathological changes in my internal organs that have begun to take place, in the very near future I am scheduled to be force fed. My opinion is not taken into account – allegedly I am no longer able to adequately assess the condition of my health and the dangers threatening it. Force-feeding will be carried out as part of resuscitation measures to save the patient’s life. In these conditions, I have to stop my hunger strike from tomorrow, i.e. from 06.10.18. 145 days of struggle, minus 20 kg of weight, plus an irreparably damaged body, but the goal has still not been achieved. I am grateful to everyone who supported me and I apologise to those whom I have failed ….
Glory to Ukraine!
Oleg Sentsov 5/10/18
Всем, кому это еще интересно!
В связи с критическим состоянием моего здоровья, а также начавшимися патологическими изменениями во внутренних органах, в самое ближайшее время ко мне запланировано применение принудительного питания. Мое мнение при этом не учитывается – якобы я уже не в состоянии адекватно оценивать уровень здоровья и опасности ему грозящие. Насильственное кормление будет проводиться в рамках реанимационных мероприятий по спасению жизни пациента. В данных условиях я вынужден прекратить свою голодовку с завтрашнего числа, т.е. с 06.10.18 г. 145 дней борьбы, минус 20 кг веса, плюс надорванный организм, но цель так и не достигнута. Я благодарен всем, кто поддерживал меня и прошу прощения у тех, кого я подвел…
Слава Украине!
Олег Сенцов
05.10.18 г.
PEN continues to call on the Russian authorities to release Sentsov immediately. Should there be grounds for prosecution on charges of terrorism, these should be heard by a civilian court under Ukrainian law. The organisation further calls on the Russian authorities to respect Oleg Sentsov’s human rights, including the prohibition of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment, and his right to medical attention.
#FreeSentsov #SaveSentsov
For further background information, please visit the PEN International website.