Tom Balmforth

MOSCOW (Reuters). -An ex-Marine serving a nine year sentence in Russia for alleged violations of his human rights has begun a hunger strike. His family claimed that he was being held captive and is now protesting his incarceration.

Trevor Reed was a Texas university student who was drunk during a 2019 visit. He was convicted last year of endangering two Russian police officers’ lives. Washington called the trial “theatre and absurd”, while Reed denied that he was guilty.

His family released a statement on Monday late to state that they received information from an attorney that Trevor had started a hunger strike in protest of his arbitrarily detained and the numerous violations by Russian authorities of his fundamental human rights as well as his Russian law rights.

Reed was held in Mordovia by regional prison authorities. They denied that Reed had been abused his rights or were on hunger strike. They stated that Reed is following the daily meal plan and are happy to share their information with Reuters.

Reed was being held in small rooms with no toilet and he wasn’t being permitted to contact his parents via phone since 116 days. He was also not allowed to get letters or books.

Moscow, Russia – The U.S. Embassy did not respond to our request immediately. The Kremlin did not respond to our request for comment.

Reed and Paul Whelan (an American jailed in Russia for spying charges that he denies) have been viewed as potential candidates to swap prisoner between Moscow and Washington.

Whelan’s lawyer said Monday to Reuters that talks had taken place regarding a client but they were stalled.

Reed’s (NASDAQ) family stated that they met Washington officials last month, and asked them to reach a settlement with Russia. The deal would have Russians released from U.S. custody.

Russian media suggested Konstantin Yaroshenko (a Russian pilot currently serving 20 years in prison for conspiracy to smuggle drug cocaine) and Viktor Bout (a Russian arms dealer serving a 25 year sentence), as potential candidates for any deal.

Reed’s family stated that both Russian men who were portrayed by Russian media as possible targets in a “trade” have completed more than half their sentences. They are senior citizens now and would not pose a threat to Americans if they were ‘traded.”