Mikalai Autukhovich’s state of health deteriorates

The entrepreneur from Vaukavysk Mikalai Autukhovich has already been on hunger strike for more than 70 days in Minsk pre-trial detention center #1.

Lawyer of the political prisoner Pavel Sapelka says the health of his client was ‘steadily bad’.

‘He feels bad. He has a new problem – his teeth start falling out. He has lost much weight but he is going to continue the hunger strike,’ RFE/RL quotes the lawyer.

However, even the lawyer doesn’t know the complete picture of the condition of Mikalai Autukhovich.

‘He hasn’t eaten anything, because he doesn’t receive parcels from outside. When one goes on hunger strike, he or she can receive only water. This is a rule,’ Pavel Sapelka says.

‘He is an extremely brave man who is not used to give up and can survive by an effort of will’, Pavel Sapelka described his client.

The leaders of entrepreneurs from Vaukavysk Mikalai Autukhovich, Yury Liavonau, and Uladzimir Asipenka were detained on 8 February. Their detention was authorized by the prosecutor of the Hrodna region. On 18 February the three businessmen were charged under Article 218 of the Criminal Code (intentional damage to or destruction of property).

On 23 June the criminal case against Mikalai Autukhovich, accused of arsons, was consolidated with a criminal case of a grenade launcher. The case is investigated by officer of the main investigatory department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Klachko.

Human rights defenders consider the detainees to be political prisoners drawing attention to the fact Autukhovich and Liavonau were convicted before and recognized prisoners of conscience by the international community. Mikalai Autukhovich went on 16 April. He demands to send his case to court as soon as possible or to change has the measure of restraint from custody to release on own recognizance.

Mikalai’s wife Alena Autukhovich has been on rehabilitation course for the fourth month after a serious nervous breakdown.

Euroradio learnt this from human rights activist Aleh Vouchak.

‘Autukhovich’s wife takes treatment – he had a very serious nervous breakdown’, the human rights defender says. ‘She gave me a full power, I conduct her case. She is not in a fit state. She cries and prays for her husband’s health.’