The father of Hayk Kyureghyan, sentenced in September to nine years for firing an air pistol in the direction of the police in July 2014, says his son, now into day 24 of a hunger strike, is in failing health.

Kyureghyan had been charged with hooliganism and using force against a representative of the state (RA Criminal Code Articles 258 and 316) in an incident that occurred on July 12, 2014 during a trial of Shant Haroutyunyan and friends.

Armenak Kyureghyan, Hayk’s father, released a public statement today claiming that his son has been subject to physical and psychological pressure and that going on hunger strike was the only defense left to his son

Hayk’s father, in his statement, also claims that relatives have not been allowed to visit the prisoner.

Hayk’s father is calling on authorities to transfer his son to a private cell where he can receive immediate medical treatment. He says there are 17 inmates, including his son crowded into a cell envisaged for six. They have to sleep in shifts, says Armenak Kyureghyan.

The father says that the family is concerned that prison officials might slip something poisonous into Hayk’s food.