Russian opposition leader Navalny begins hunger strike over medical treatment

Alexei Navalny (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File)

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny says he has started a prison hunger strike to protest over officials’ failure to provide proper treatment for his back and leg pains.

In a statement posted on Instagram, he complained about prison authorities’ refusal to give him the right medicines and to allow his doctor to visit him behind bars.