Mikalay Autukhovich lost 15 kg during hunger strike

The political prisoner is still staying in the medical unit of the remand prison. He is firm to continue hunger strike till the end.

It has been reported by his lawyer Pavel Sapelka, who visited his client in the remand prison number 1 in Valadarski Street in Minsk on May 4.

During the hunger strike the businessman from Vaukavysk Mikalay Autukhovich lost 15 kilograms of weight. P. Sapelka reported that investigation against Mikalay Autukhovich, Yury Lyavonau and Uladzimir Asipenka has been extended for a month.

As noted by the lawyer, M. Autukhovich hadn’t complained about incarceration conditions in the medical unit. “He said that conditions are satisfactory, four persons are in the medical unit,” P. Sapelka said.

Activists of the movement of entrepreneurs’ movement from Vaukavysk, M. Autukhovich, Y. Lyavonau and U. Asipenka were detained on February 8, 2009. On February 18 they were presented charges under Article 218 of the Criminal Code (intentional destruction or damage to property of citizens). Human rights activists regard the detainees political prisoners drawing attention to the fact M. Autukhovich and Y. Lyavonau were thrown into prison earlier and recognized prisoners of conscience by Amnesty International.

M. Autukhovich went on hunger strike in Minsk remand prison on April 16. He demands to take the case to the court or to change the measure of restraint for him and his colleagues Yury Lyavonau and Uladzimir Asipenka to the written undertaking not to leave the place.

Rallies of solidarity with political prisoners are taking place in Belarus daily. Oppositionists and common s\citizens come to October Square in Minsk every day at 6 p.m.