British daily The Gurdian published today "Pussy Riot's Nadezhda Tolokonnikova: Why I have gone on hunger strike", an open later in which the imprisoned Pussy Riot member explains why the brutal conditions at Penal Colony No 14 have led her to undertake a hunger strike in protest.
Nadezhda Tolokonnikova has written a lengthy letter detailing life inside prison colony No 14 in the Russian region of Mordovia, revealing appalling conditions that are reminiscent of the Soviet Gulag system.
"Tolokonnikova was convicted of hooliganism motivated by religious hatred for her part in an impromptu Pussy Riot performance in Moscow's largest cathedral in February 2012. The group, wearing balaclavas, mimed a song calling on the Virgin Mary to "kick out Putin", and three of them were arrested and later convicted," the article explains.
"In the best case scenario we get four hours of sleep per night," writes Tolokonnikova. "We get a day off once every six weeks. Almost all Sundays are work days. Prisoners are forced to write requests to work on weekends saying it is their own voluntary decision," the letter is quoted.
Tolokonnikova says she will refuse food until her concerns have been addressed. "As of Monday 23 September I announce that I am on hunger strike," she writes. "This is an extreme method, but I am absolutely certain that it is the only way out of this situation for me. The prison colony's administration refuses to listen to me."
