Belarus Hunger-Striker Moved To Psychiatric Clinic
MINSK -- Jailed Belarusian opposition
activist Syarhey Kavalenka, whose health has significantly deteriorated
during a lengthy hunger strike, has been transferred to a prison
psychiatric clinic.
Officials in Minsk told Kavalenka’s relatives and colleagues on March 26
that he was moved overnight to a prison clinic in the eastern city of
Vitsebsk.
Kavalenka, 37, was sentenced in Vitsebsk in February to 25 months in jail for an alleged parole violation.
He was later transferred to a prison hospital in Minsk due to poor health.
Kavalenka was detained in December for allegedly violating the terms of
his parole for an earlier conviction on charges of "illegally displaying
the banned Belarusian national flag."
He began his hunger strike shortly after his detention. Officials
force-fed him in January, but he resumed the protest in February.
