Russian man goes on hunger strike asking U.S. State Department for 10 million dollars

The U.S. Department of State decided to pay a compensation of 100,000 dollars to a Russian citizen, Alexander Kashin, who became a disabled individual as a result of a car accident in 1998. The accident occurred because of the fault of a U.S. diplomat.

Photo: Russian man goes on hunger strike asking U.S. State Department for 10 million dollars

“The payment does not lead to any obligations or restrictions for Mr. Kashin. We hope that this payment will help Alexander Kashin receive all necessary medical aid,” an official statement from the U.S. Consulate General in Russia’s Far East said.

Alexander Kashin, who resides in the Far East of Russia, went on a hunger strike several days ago claiming a compensation of damages from U.S. authorities. The man was not satisfied with the offer from the U.S. Department of State: Kashin insists on a payment worth $10 million.

U.S. Consul General in Vladivostok, Douglas Kent, was driving his Chevrolet Blazer in October of 1998. The U.S. official was pulling out into traffic on a central street in downtown Vladivostok. Kent did not give way to Toyota Camry, in which Kashin, a 23-year-old man, was a passenger. Kent’s vehicle hit Kashin’s and the impact forced the Toyota into the opposite lane where it was struck by Toyota Land Cruiser. Kashin’s car was smashed in the accident. The young man had the lower part of his body paralyzed.

However, the criminal case filed against the U.S. official was closed due to his diplomatic immunity. Kent was subsequently recalled from Russia. Alexander Kashin attempted to call the U.S. diplomat to civil responsibility and oblige the official to pay the compensation for severe moral and physical damage.

However, a U.S. court dismissed Kashin’s suit in August of 2006. The court ruled that Douglas Kent was executing his duties on a daily basis and thus could use the diplomatic immunity.

Alexander Kashin went on a hunger strike as his personal protest against the circumstances.

“I have been experiencing moral and physical sufferings during the recent nine years,” Kashin said. The man said that he was going to make either Douglas Kent or his employer – the U.S. Department of State – pay a compensation of $10 million. The amount has been determined with the participation of U.S. doctors and lawyers.

The young man said yesterday that he was not going to end his hunger strike. “I will not get up on my feet if I receive $100,000 I need a larger sum of money for the treatment. I am trying to make them pay me the sum that would be adequate to my damages. I will continue the hunger strike till the end. I do not live the normal life anyway,” Kashin said.

Translated by Dmitry Sudakov
Pravda.ru