“He feels very bad. Extremely bad samples. Problems with liver appear,” – prisoner’s lawyer, businessman Pavel Sapelka told the Belapan agency. He added that Mr Autukhovich is going to continue the hunger-strike “until the end” regardless of his critical condition. The political prisoner is sick of pancreatitis, and an open-ended hunger-strike can kill him.
Mikalai Autukhovich went on hunger-strike on 16 April “as a sign of protest against the lawlessness and arbitrariness of investigatory bodies, absence of public prosecutor’s supervision over the course of investigation (…) of the case.” He demanded releasing him and the other political prisoners Yury Liavonau and Uladzimir Asipenka.
However, no investigatory actions with the participation of Vaukavysk businessmen have taken place until now. The Belarusian authorities have not reacted whatsoever.
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As a sign of solidarity with the starving prisoner and other political prisoners, manifestations are taking place throughout Belarus demanding the urgent release of Mr Autukhovich and his brothers-in-arms. Many participants of the actions have been arrested, and some people were also beaten up by militia.
On 4 May 13 Belarusian democratic activists: journalists, businessmen and youth activists, declared “hunger-strike of solidarity” with Mr Autukhovich. The demand of the protesters is invariable – to release the three Vaukavysk prisoners. Later other activists in Belarus, France and Germany joined the strike. 29 persons take part in “hunger-strike of solidarity” today.
“I cannot remain indifferent when people close to me in their views are in such awful situation, unfairly behind bars. Therefore, I hope that our solidarity would help to achieve the release of political prisoners,” – notes activist from Brest Natallia Kastsiuchyk who holds “hunger-strike of solidarity” since 7 May.
