Alexei Navalny says he is being threatened with force-feeding

Police officers wearing face masks to protect against coronavirus guard an entrance of the prison colony IK-2, where Alexei Navalny was detained (Pavel Golovkin/AP)

Imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who has been on hunger strike since March 31, described threats to force-feed him, using “straitjacket and other pleasures”, in a message from behind bars.

In an Instagram post, Mr Navalny said an official told him that a blood test indicated his health was deteriorating and threatened to force-feed him if he continues to refuse to eat.