Germany has called on Russia to provide medical assistance to imprisoned Ukrainian film director Oleh Sentsov without delay, according to a statement made by Government Commissioner for Human Rights Policy and Humanitarian Aid at the German Federal Foreign Office Barbel Kofler.

"The fact that the European Court of Human Rights called on Russia to immediately provide the necessary medical care to Oleh Sentsov underscores widespread concern for his health. It has intensified again since the start of his hunger strike in May," reads a statement posted on the website of the German Federal Foreign Office on Friday, July 27.

Kofler expressed hope that the Russian government will make a decision and urgently ensure Sentsov's full access to medical care.

"I sincerely hope that the Russian government will take the decision into account and urgently ensure full access to medical care. I also hope for the speedy release of Mr. Sentsov and his fellow inmate, Mr. Kolchenko," he said.

As reported, Kolchenko and Sentsov were detained by Russian special services in Crimea in May 2014. They were accused of organizing terrorist attacks on the peninsula. In the summer of 2015, Kolchenko was sentenced to ten years in a high-security colony and Sentsov was jailed for 20 years. Both of them deny their guilt.

In late May 2018, Kolchenko went on a hunger strike, demanding the release of Sentsov. After a while he was forced to stop such a protest because of weakness. Sentsov, in turn, declared a hunger strike on May 14, demanding the release of all 64 Ukrainian political prisoners held in Russia.