Russian political scientist Alexander Kynev launches hunger strike over inaccessible toilet in overcrowded jail cell, lawyer says

Political scientist Alexander Kynev, currently detained pending trial on allegations of drug trafficking, has initiated a hunger strike, according to the legal advocacy group Slovo Zashchite. His legal counsel, Mikhail Biryukov, disclosed that Kynev initiated the hunger strike due to the lack of a functional toilet in his cell, which houses 34 other inmates.

"There's a hole in the floor instead of a toilet, and he can't use it because his leg is in a cast after being broken in two places," Biryukov explained. "That's why he's not eating. We've done everything we can to get him transferred today to a location that meets his medical requirements." Kynev has been under arrest since September 25.

Slovo Zashchite had previously reported that Kynev suffered severe beatings during his arrest, resulting in a leg fracture in two locations. According to political scientist Ekaterina Schulmann, Kynev was subjected to the beatings in an attempt to force a confession of treason. Kynev denies the drug trafficking charges.