Exclusive: ICE detainee in Georgia explains his hunger strike

Vitaly Novikov has pursued a hunger strike at a federal immigration detention center in southwest Georgia for about a month while protesting his impeding deportation.

Concerned about Novikov's health, a federal judge in Georgia recently took the extraordinary step of giving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement permission to force-feed him and to restrain him if he resists.

IN-DEPTH: Facing deportation, detainee in Georgia refuses food

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution interviewed Novikov by phone this week. Read about the reasons for his hunger strike, the status of his health and his fears about being sent back to his homeland here on myajc.com

Detainees at an Immigration Customs and Enforcement detention center began a hunger strike earlier this week in response to conditions.

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Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

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