Artem Gribul, convicted of drug crimes, has started a hunger strike. Human rights defender Daria Samodurova told InterpressNews about this.

As the human rights defender stated, convicted Gribul called her today and informed her about starting the hunger strike.

According to the lawyer's explanation, the reason for starting the hunger strike was the actions carried out against Artem Gribul's wife, convicted Anastasia Zinovkina, in the penitentiary institution.

"He called me this morning. As you know, information spread yesterday that Anastasia Zinovkina was treated inhumanely in the 5th penitentiary institution. She told this to her friend, and the information was disseminated. I spoke to her, and Zinovkina confirmed this fact to me. Gribul learned about this fact from television, called me, was quite emotional; I calmed him down, but he told me that he had started a hunger strike. His demand is that those who treated Anastasia Zinovkina inhumanely be identified, dismissed from service, and punished with the full severity of the law," the lawyer stated.

For reference, within the framework of the ongoing protest actions, the husband and wife detained on drug crime charges, Anastasia Zinovkina and Artem Gribul, were found guilty by the Tbilisi City Court.

By the decision of Judge Nino Galustashvili, they were sentenced to 8.5 years each.