BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

12/12/2006

Has Imprisoned Belarusian Oppositionist Ended Hunger Strike?

An unidentified Interior Ministry official told RFE/RL's Belarus Service on December 11 that earlier the same day imprisoned opposition activist Alyaksandr Kazulin decided to end his 53-day hunger strike and began to drink juice (see "RFE/RL Newsline," December 11, 2006). Meanwhile, Iryna Kazulina, the prisoner's wife, told RFE/RL's Belarus Service that she was not allowed to see her husband. Kazulina said she is not sure whether her husband ended his fast or, if so, whether he did it voluntarily. "I traveled 600 kilometers -- 300 kilometers to the Vitsba-3 [correctional facility] and 300 kilometers back -- to give my husband documents that in my opinion could provide grounds for him to withdraw from the hunger strike," Kazulina said. "But I was not allowed to meet with him even for five minutes or even to speak to him by phone. I was forced to go back, and when I returned to Minsk, [journalists] from Belapan called me and asked, 'Do you know that your husband is withdrawing from his hunger strike?' I answered I would be happy if that was true. But since I was not allowed [to see him] and I was sent back, I cannot believe them until I hear my husband's voice." JM

Source:

http://www.rferl.org/newsline/2006/12/3-cee/cee-121206.asp

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