First, let me point out that this thread is not supposed to be on this board, but in the exchange board, which the link is
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?board=223.0, so, @op, if you can move it this thread to that board, would be nice.
Anyways, hitbtc is still one of the most scam cryptocurrency exchanges around till date, I personally stopped using them a long time ago, I still have some of my coins trapped there which I was unable to withdraw until I decide to leave it with them, I am not surprised that they have introduced a inactivity fees, this they did so that they can finally have the legal right to withdraw and keep for themselves, funds their users left on the exchange and may possibly come back for.
Avoid Hitbtc at all cost, they are a known scam cryptocurrency exchange.
This is really bad and it's the reason why new investors that comes into the crypto market and stumbles on these scam exchanges and projects will label the entire crypto space as scam. I wonder why scam exchanges like Hitbtc, are still in business after it's been proven over the years that they're not a reputable exchange, your experience and the OP present predicament says a lot about them. I hope he gets justice and recover his coins.
The lesson here is that we need to verify the reputation of exchanges before using their services, and research new projects before deciding to invest in any, because frankly it's not everybody that has the patience to read every details of terms and conditions.