The leader of Hrodna businessmen Valier Lievanieuski went on hunger-strike in Ivatsevichy prison

The defense lawyer Aliaxandr Biarylau informed the relatives of Valier Lievanieuski’s hunger-strike in the prison, after meeting with the prisoner on 14 November. The lawyer said that Valier Lievanieuski has been on hunger-strike since 13 November. He is protesting against the actions of some of the administration officials and wants them administratively punished. Uladzimier, Mr. Lievanieuski’s son, told of the reasons for the hunger-strike in an interview with Radio Liberty: “The deputy governor of the prison arranged for my father’s personal belongings to be searched, as a result of which some minor violation was identified and so he was punished by being denied the right to a long-term visit. Father thinks that this is how they settled accounts with him for him continuing to appeal in different instances for violation of his rights and the rights of the prisoners in the correctional facility".
According to the lawyer Aliaxandr Biarylau, Uladzimier Lievanieuski immediately told the prison administration of the hunger-strike and was transferred to the medical section where his state of health is being watched. The lawyer does not know how Valier Lievanieuski is feeling now. According to Aliaxandr Biarylau, Valier Lievanieuski drinks water and refuses only food. He intends to continue the hunger-strike until his punishments are dropped and the administration officials responsible for the provocation are punished.
“As far as I know they found a book in Lievanieuski’s belongings, which he was to have given back to the library. This petty violation was why he was denied a meeting with the wife and sons, which was very painful for the prisoner. Undoubtedly, this punishment does not match such a petty violation", believes the defense lawyer Aliaxandr Biarylau.
Ivatsevichy prison refused to confirm or refute the information about the hunger-strike of Valier Lievanieuski.