Hunger-striking Navalny describes threats to force-feed him

MOSCOW (AP) - Imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who has been on hunger strike since March 31, described threats to force-feed him, using 'œstraitjacket and other pleasures,'ť in a message from behind bars Friday.

In an Instagram post, 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.

'œAnd then she detailed the joys of force-feeding to me. Straitjacket and other pleasures,'ť the politician said, adding that he urged the officials not to do it, 'œpointing to a clause in the law.'ť

Navalny, President Vladimir Putin's most vociferous critic, is demanding a visit from his physician after developing severe back pain and numbness in his legs in prison.

The 44-year-old opposition leader was arrested in January upon his return from Germany, where he had spent five months recovering from a nerve agent poisoning he blames on the Kremlin - accusations Russian officials have rejected. Navalny's arrest triggered a massive wave of protests all across Russia, the biggest show of defiance in recent years.

Soon after the arrest, a court ordered Navalny to serve 2 1/2 years in prison on a 2014 embezzlement conviction he said was fabricated and the European Court of Human Rights deemed to be 'œarbitrary and manifestly unreasonable.'ť Last month, the politician was transferred to a penal colony east of Moscow, notorious for its harsh conditions.

Navalny has complained about back pain and said he was losing sensation in his legs. His demands for a doctor's visit were rebuffed by prison officials, with Russia's state prison service saying he was getting all the medical help he needed. In response, Navalny went on hunger strike.

The opposition leader charged Friday that prison officials refused to let his physician in because 'œthey fear it'll transpire that the loss of sensation in the limbs may be connected to the poisoning," and reiterated he had 'œan absolutely guaranteed right: to be examined by an independent civilian doctor.'ť

Describing his state after more than two weeks of a hunger strike, Navalny said his head was "spinning a lot,'ť but that he was 'œstill walking."

Navalny's wife, Yulia, who visited him in prison earlier this week, said the politician was 'œcheerful'ť but had trouble talking and lost a lot of weight.