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75-year-old hunger striker taken to hospital in town of Lermontov

Medics however say the patient, Mikhail Markus, is showing symptoms of protein breakdown, which is fraught with a coma

LERMONTOV, Stavropol Territory, February 28 (Itar-Tass) —— A 75-year-old hunger striker protesting against the actions of the local election commission, was taken to intensive care ward in the town of Lernomtov late on Monday, local Lerm26.ru website reported.

The hunger strike was launched after the territorial election commission eliminated two dozens of candidates for seats in the town council under an “unsubstantiated pretext.” On February 21, seven of the former candidates went on an indefinite hunger strike.

In the mean time, according to the website, local authorities say they have established contact with the protesters, and police and prosecutors tried to talk them to stop the strike.

Medics however say the patient, Mikhail Markus, is showing symptoms of protein breakdown, which is fraught with a coma. They also say the strikers are complaining of weakness, fatigue and vertigo.

The website says a number of local residents jointed the hunger strike. Now the number of strikers has reached 16.