Syarhey Kavalenka resumed hunger strike

Belarusian oppositionist Syarhey Kavalenka urges the authorities to change the unlawful sentence imposed on him, to release prisoners of conscience and to legalise national Belarusian symbols.

Siarhiej Kawalenka

Foto: spring96.org

"Syarhey was placed again in the detention center in Vitebsk. He was in very bad physical condition, but he was denied adequate medical care,” said Alena Kavalenka, prisoner's wife, in an interview to Radio Svaboda. “According to the Human Rights Convention, signed by Belarus, and according to the Constitution of our country everyone in need has the right to medical care”. She added Syarhey is in serious condition.
"For what reason do they want to destroy him? Because of his love of the motherland, mother tongue and his respect for national symbols, “told Alena Kavalenka.

Syarhey Kavalenka was sentenced to two years and one month imprisonment for alleged violations of restriction of freedom. That was a punishment for placing in the center of Vitebsk white-red-white flag. Since December, Kavalenka had been on a protest hunger, with some short breaks. His relatives reported that he lost more than 40 kg at that time. He suspended his hunger strike in mid-April.

agkm, swaboda.org/charter97.org

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