Russian opposition leader Navalny ends prison hunger strike

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny announced Friday he is ending his hunger strike while in prison after doctors say he could die.

Navalny started his hunger strike 24 days ago when he demanded access to his doctor. He was moved last weekend to a hospital after several doctors warned he could die if not properly inspected.

"Thanks to the tremendous support of good people all over the country and all over the world, we have made tremendous progress," Navalny said on Instagram, according to The Washington Post.

His attorney's who operate his accounts said he had two herniated discs, causing pain and numbness in his arms and legs. Navalny, who spoke out against Russian President Vladimir Putin, said that the prison guards would not allow his doctors to visit him and alleged mental torture by depriving him of sleep.

"Two months ago, they only laughed at my requests for medical help and wouldn’t give me any medication," he said. "A month ago, I was laughed in the face at phrases like, 'Can I find out my diagnosis?' and 'Can I see my own medical records?' "

"Thank you," he ended his post. "Now, I’ve been examined twice by a panel of civilian doctors."

Navalny is serving a two and a half year prison sentence on charges he broke his probation agreement from his previous 2014 arrest by the Russian government due to money laundering. He has been in his current prison since February 2021.

In August, while living in Germany, he was poisoned with a nerve agent in what Western intelligence agencies believe was an attempted assassination attempt by the Russian government.