As reported by Censor.NET citing journalist Anton Naumliuk's Facebook page, Ruslan Zeitullaiev was taken to court to take part in today's debate. He looked emaciated but kept his chin up.
The North Caucasian District Military Court in Russia's Rostov-on-Don is to announce a verdict against Zeitullaiev, a defendant in the "Hizb ut-Tahrir case," on April 26.
According to Naumliuk, lawyers persuaded him to quit the hunger strike, but Ruslan said he won't do that until a verdict is passed. Emil Kurbedinov recalled academic Sakharov's letter to Mustafa Dzhemilev during his hunger strike.
"I'll quit if I can't pray namaz, if I have faints, for example," Ruslan replied.
"In jail, they persuade him to quit starvation three times a day," Naumliuk adds. "Doctors say Zeitullaiev's condition is satisfactory, give no contraindications to attending hearings. He weighs 55 kilograms and is diagnosed with malnutrition. He can't participate in today's debate, feels fatigue. He is going to make a final statement. The court allowed him to speak sitting."