Ukraine's Sentsov says ends hunger strike to avoid being force-fed

Ukrainian filmmaker Oleg Sentsov, who has refused food for more than 140 days in a Russian jail, said on Friday he was halting his high-profile protest to avoid being force-fed.

"I am forced to halt my hunger strike from tomorrow, that is 6/10/18," Sentsov said in a hand-written statement, a copy of which was released to the media.

He said Russian authorities had planned to start force-feeding him "due to my critical condition." "My opinion is not being taken into account," he said.

Many activists and Soviet-era dissidents have compared force-feeding in Russian prisons to a form of torture with unpredictable consequences. Sentsov said he had fasted for 145 days and lost 20 kg (44 pounds).

He apologised for failing to win the release of Ukrainian prisoners - the aim of his protest.

"I am grateful to everyone who supported me and I ask those who I let down to forgive me," he wrote.

Earlier on Friday, the Russian prison service said Sentsov had started eating food.

Sentsov is serving a 20-year sentence in a prison in the Russian Arctic after being convicted on terrorism charges over an alleged arson plot in Crimea.

Moscow has refused to free Ukrainian prisoners or Sentsov himself, saying he must ask Russian President Vladimir Putin for a pardon for his release to be considered.

Sentsov began his hunger strike on May 14. He had been sustained with a glucose drip, some nutritional supplements and water.