Russian Pianist Dies After Hunger Strike: A Tale of Repression

Pavel Kushnir, a Russian pianist and anti-war activist, died in prison after a hunger strike. His arrest for inciting terrorism followed anti-war posts online. The European Union called his death a shocking example of political repression. Memorial reports 333 political prisoners remain in Russia.

A Russian pianist and anti-war activist has died in prison following a hunger strike, according to his mother, in a case the European Union has labeled as a shocking example of political repression. Pavel Kushnir's death was initially reported by a Russian news site on Friday and confirmed by his mother, Irina Levina, to independent outlet Mediazona on Monday.

Kushnir was arrested and accused of inciting terrorist activity after posting anti-war material online, according to a Telegram channel linked to Russia's security services. Levina stated that an FSB investigator informed her that Kushnir passed away on July 28 while in pre-trial detention in Birobidzhan, Russia's far east.

It remains unclear how long Kushnir had been on hunger strike. Despite being hooked up to an intravenous drip, it wasn't sufficient to save him. Peter Stano, EU external affairs spokesperson, called the incident a 'shocking reminder of the Kremlin's ongoing repression' and urged Russia to respect its constitution and release all prisoners of conscience.

(With inputs from agencies.)