Russian opposition member Oleg Shein, who has been on hunger strike for 39 days to protest vote-rigging in mayoral polls which he contested, said he would end his fast on Tuesday.
"Tomorrow I will come out of the hunger strike. This is my final statement, there will be no more," Shein of A Just Russia party told journalists on Monday, according to Interfax news agency.
Shein has rallied thousands of protesters calling for repeat elections in the southern city of Astrakhan after he stood as mayor from the opposition party and lost to the candidate from the ruling United Russia party.
He told journalists in Astrakhan that he would finish his protest on Tuesday, when the authorities have promised to release the last four people they detained during a weekend demonstration.
"As a decent and honest person, tomorrow when our comrades are released, I will be able to finish my hunger strike," RIA Novosti quoted Shein as saying.
He had initially said that he would continue his hunger strike until the elections were declared invalid, after taking his case to a city court and showing videos of violations to the Central Electoral Commission chief.
The head of the Central Electoral Commission, Vladimir Churov, went on to admit last week that there were flaws in the March ballot, held concurrently with the presidential polls, and filmed on web cams in the polling stations.
During his fast, which began on March 16, Shein said he had lost 14 kilograms (31 pounds) and turned down doctors' advice to go to hospital.
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