Pavel Kushnir, 39, lived in Birobidzhan - the capital of Russia’s Jewish Autonomous Oblast in the country's far East. He was a classical pianist of the city's Regional Orchestra.
In late May the local authorities detained Kushnir and charged him with inciting terrorism - due to some anti-war videos he published on his YouTube channel, followed by as little as 5 people at the time.
In the recordings, the artist spoke out in a poetic form against the war and the Kremlin's policies. He has also published an anti-war themed book.
Friends and supporters reported that Kushnir died on July 27, in the result of a dry hunger strike that he recently launched in custody, to further protest Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. His demise was confirmed by Olga Romanova, head of the 'Russia Behind Bars' non-profit.
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Source: PAP