Tigran Badalyan, 30, an Armavir Penitentiary inmate who has been on hunger and water strike for 18 days, has sewed his mouth shut and cut his wrist vein in his prison cell Friday, For Rights reported.

He was urgently taken to a civilian hospital, a few bandages were put on his hand, then transferred back to Armavir Penitentiary.

His mother, Mrs. Marine, reported For Rights about this. According to her, her son who has health problems took such a drastic step "for justice, in order to prove his innocence."

Badalyan has been charged with large-scale theft that was committed by breaking into an apartment.

His mother, however, denies this charge.

Tigran was arrested as a precautionary measure, but according to his lawyer, this decision is disproportionate.

Badalyan has been under arrest since October 11 last year.

At the moment, his court case at the phase of remarks. But the defense has submitted a motion for self-recusal to the presiding judge and the prosecutor, arguing that they are not impartial.

The next court session is slated for September 14.