In the telephone interview, he said: “But I’m looking at the bigger picture of perhaps we can relieve oppression abroad and relieve the situations for my codefendants. Yes, I’m scared of passing away. Yes, this may have lifelong implications. But I look at the risk versus reward. I see it as worthwhile.”

He added that he had become a “shell” of himself because he rejects food and drinks only water with salt.

He said his speech has become slurred, he has been getting regular chest pains to the point like he feels he is “getting Tasered” and his body has been shaking. He added that a nurse told him she was concerned that he would not wake up when he went to sleep.