Jailed film director stops hunger strike after 144 days

MOSCOW — A Ukrainian filmmaker imprisoned in Russia for plotting acts of terrorism said Friday that he has brought an end to his 144-day hunger strike as he was facing the prospect of being force-fed.

Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta published a hand-written letter from Oleg Sentsov saying he had taken the decision to end his hunger strike because force-feeding was being planned due to the “critical condition and pathological changes” in his body.

“My opinion is not taken into account,” said Sentsov, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2015 for conspiracy to commit acts of terrorism, charges he has denied. Sentsov was one of the most vocal opponents of Russia’s annexation of his native Crimea in 2014.

The letter’s authenticity was confirmed to The Associated Press by Sentsov’s lawyer Dmitry Dinze, who had handed it to the newspaper.