Ex-Marine ends hunger strike in Russian jail

Former Marine Trevor Reed ended his hunger strike in a Russian jail last week after his health deteriorated. 

His family showed messages Reed sent to Reuters that said he began the hunger strike on Nov. 3 and ended it Nov. 9. Throughout that time he only drank water and refused food.

The hunger strike was to protest his imprisonment and the prison allegedly trampling his rights. 

The U.S. called the trial for Reed in Russia a “theatre of the absurd,” with President Biden bringing up the release of Reed and other American detainees with Russian President Vladimir Putin in June.

Reed is serving a nine year sentence after Russia said he endangered the life of two officers in 2019 while he was drunk.

Reed’s hunger strike against his imprisonment ended with him losing a lot of weight and becoming ill. 

Reed said he developed back pain, headaches, congestion and mucus in his lungs, according to Reuters. The doctor only gave him vitamins.

“They (prison staff) were ALL aware of my hunger strike. They asked me on video every day if I wanted food and I refused. They did not weigh me or give me a medical inspection,” he said.

The prison denied Reed’s account in a statement to Reuters, saying Reed never conducted a hunger strike.

“Trevor’s new complaints about his health are alarming and it’s quite clear Russian authorities aren’t taking them seriously. The Reeds continue to urge the (U.S.) Administration to make a deal to bring their son home,” the family spokesperson stated.

Reed’s parents, Joey and Paula Reed, told The Hill in an interview in June they supported a prisoner swap so their son could come home.