A former senator from the Karachay-Cherkessia Republic, serving a life sentence, secured promises from the prison administration and ended his hunger strike.

Former senator from Karachay-Cherkessia, Rauf Arashukov, serving a life sentence in the Black Dolphin prison colony, ended his hunger strike. The protest lasted ten days. According to his lawyer, Dmitry Trubnikov, the prison administration agreed to fulfill his client's demands and create "normal conditions" for him. The lawyer did not specify what changes would be made.

Arashukov was in solitary confinement during his hunger strike. Since early June, he has been working in a garment factory.

Previously, Arashukov had sought, among other things, an increase in the number of visits with minors. Currently, those sentenced to life imprisonment are allowed one long visit and two short visits through glass. He sent his appeal to the government, the Federation Council, the State Duma, and the Commissioner for Human and Children's Rights.

Rauf Arashukov was arrested in January 2019 during a Federation Council session. His father, Raul Arashukov, a former advisor to the general director of Gazprom Mezhregiongaz, was also arrested at the same time.

In December 2022, the Moscow City Court sentenced both men to life imprisonment. They were found guilty of organizing contract killings, creating a criminal organization, and embezzling gas. Both pleaded not guilty. The appeal and cassation courts upheld the sentences.

The criminal cases against Rauf Arashukov did not end there. In August 2026, the court dismissed his appeal against the conviction for bribery in a penal colony. For this charge, he was sentenced to an additional ten years in prison, in addition to his life sentence.

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