Anarchist Kalyonov, suspected of blowing up "Neva Express" train, stops his hunger strike

Anarchist from St-Petersburg Andrei Kalyonov, arrested on suspicion of organizing the explosion of the "Neva-Express" train, has stopped his protest hunger strike. His advocate Renat Gusmanov has informed the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent about it and added:

"Andrei has stopped his hunger strike because of sharp worsening of his health, since he needs medical care now. So far, Mr Kalyonov hasn't been provided any medical aid, despite his inability to walk and pains in the stomach."

Andrei Kalyonov, an anarchist and a member of the "Memorial" Society, was on a hunger strike from the date of his detention on August 16, claiming that his arrest was illegal. According to Mr Gusmanov, Andrei made the decision to stop his action independently, and he was not exposed to forced nutrition or other physical pressure by the SIZO (pre-trial prison) personnel.

In Renat Gusmanov's opinion, Kalyonov's decision to stop his hunger strike was influenced also by the fact that an advocate (i.e., Gusmanov himself) started to execute his defence on Friday, August 24.

"Nevertheless," the defender has added, "if the state of health of my client improves, it is quite probable that he will resume his hunger strike."