MOSCOW (AP) Imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny said Wednesday he has started a hunger strike to protest authorities failure to provide proper treatment for his back and leg pains.

In a statement posted on Instagram, Navalny complained about prison officials refusal to give him the right medicines and to allow his doctor to visit him behind bars.

He also protested the hourly checks a guard makes on him at night, saying they amount to sleep deprivation torture.