26 people on hunger strike in solidarity with political prisoners
- 8.05.2009, 10:33
The number of participants of a hunger strike in solidarity with political prisoner Mikalai Autukhovich is increasing every day.
On May 8, “Young Front” member from Salihorsk Illya Nahorny joined “Young Front” activists having a hunger strike in the BPF headquarters. The young man is going to be on hunger strike unless the procuracy fulfils requirements of Mikalai Autukhovich: changing the measure of restraint to house arrest or conducting a trial as soon as possible, the website mfront.net writes.
Belarusian public activist Raman Bahdanovich and two activists of the Belarusian¬-European Association (BAE) went on hunger strike on May 7. The BAE members announced they go on hunger strike in front of the office of European Commission and the Council of Europe in Brussels.
According to Leanid Skarabahaty, coordinator of the Belarusian Christian Democracy in the Minsk region, his daughter Emilia went on indefinite hunger strike on May 5. Leanid Skarabahaty was on dry hunger strike since May 5.
It became known on May 7 that public activist Ales Hetman has been on indefinite hunger strike since Wednesday.
So, at least 26 people are on hunger strike of solidarity at the moment.
It should be reminded that businessmen Yury Lyavonau, Mikalai Autukhovich, and Uladzimir Asipenka were arrested in Vaukavysk on February 8. They are kept in the Minsk pre-trial detention center.
Mikalai Autukhovich went on hunger strike protesting against lawlessness and arbitrary behaviour of investigative agencies. He demands to take the case to the court or to change the measure of restraint for him and his colleagues Yury Lyavonau and Uladzimir Asipenka. He has been on hunger strike for 21 days.
On May 4, political and public figures declared themselves on indefinite hunger strike in solidarity with Mikalai Autukhovich. Famous political and public figures in Belarus and abroad are taking part in hunger strike. Among the strikers are former presidential candidate Alyaksandr Kazulin, leader of the BPF party Lyavon Barshcheuski, former political prisoners Andrei Kim, Mikalai Statkevich, Syarhei Skrabets, leader of the coordinative council of entrepreneurs Alyaksandr Makaeu.
Activists Nasta Palazhanka, Mikola Dzyamidzenka, Andrei Tsyanyuta, Artsyom Dubski, Yauhen Skrabets, Hleb Snorkin, and Iryna Hubskaya are on indefinite hunger strike in the BPF headquarters in Minsk.