Navalny’s team calls protests amid reports of failing health

MOSCOW (AP) — Associates of imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny are calling for massive protests in Moscow and St. Petersburg on Wednesday, saying Navalny’s health is deteriorating during a hunger strike. A top strategist for Navalny said the demonstrations were called with three days’ notice because “We don’t know how long he can hold on.” The 44-year-old Navalny is Russian President Vladimir Putin’s most visible critic. He started a hunger strike more than three weeks ago to protest prison authorities’ refusal to allow him to be seen by a private doctor. He says he is suffering from severe back pain and loss of feeling in his legs. The Russian penitentiary service says he is getting appropriate care.