A Ukrainian former military officer is on the 10th day of a hunger strike in an Italian prison, where he has accused the authorities of mistreating him to make him confess to blowing up Russia's Nord Stream gas pipelines under the Baltic Sea in 2022.
Serhiy Kuznetsov was detained in Italy in August on an arrest warrant from Germany.
In a letter shown to the BBC by his lawyer, Mr. Kuznetsov says he is being treated as criminal no.1, held in a high-security facility alongside suspected members of ISIS. The BBC has contacted the prison, but it has not yet commented.
No-one has admitted carrying out the attack on the pipelines carrying Russian gas to Germany.
In his first public comment since his arrest, Mr. Kuznetsov writes - by hand - that the Italians have been cynically ignoring my dietary habits for the past two months - a reference to his vegetarian diet.
They think that these restrictions can affect my position, and make me confess my guilt. But such efforts are futile.
A relative of Mr. Kuznetsov's told me they had tried to deliver special food to the prison, but had been refused - and they were worried that he seemed exhausted. The Nord Stream pipelines were destroyed deep beneath the Baltic Sea at the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, marking a high-profile and controversial attack.
Initially, many suspected Russian involvement and a possible attempt to blackmail Europe by restricting its energy supplies. This summer, German prosecutors activated arrest warrants for two suspects: Serhiy Kuznetsov and a second Ukrainian citizen, Volodymyr Zhuravlyov, who was detained in Poland.
German prosecutors have cited charges of anti-constitutional sabotage as a basis for the extradition requests.
A Polish judge ruled against Mr. Zhuravlyov's extradition, stating that if Ukrainians were involved, it could be seen as legitimate self-defense in a bloody, genocidal war.
In Italy, however, a court approved Mr. Kuznetsov's extradition in a closed hearing. He is currently appealing this ruling.
His lawyer expressed concerns about Kuznetsov's health, noting significant weight loss during his hunger strike. The attorney claimed Kuznetsov is doing fine and is clear of mind despite refusing all solid food.
Kuznetsov's letter reveals allegations of isolation and strict restrictions on his movement. His lawyer has voiced concern about what he describes as an abandonment by the Ukrainian government, urging authorities to clarify their stance on Kuznetsov's involvement.
Ukrainian officials continue to deny involvement in the Nord Stream attacks and have not commented on the latest developments, while assurances have been made to look into a reassessment of Kuznetsov's case and prison conditions.
Despite the tumultuous situation, Kuznetsov expressed his deep patriotism in a letter, ending with, I love Ukraine very much and am happy to have the honour of being an officer in its armed forces. His final appeal hearing is scheduled to take place within the next two weeks.
