Accessibility links

Breaking News

Belarus Hunger-Striker Moved To Psychiatric Clinic


Syarhey Kavalenka appeared emaciated at a court hearing in February.
Syarhey Kavalenka appeared emaciated at a court hearing in February.
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.
  • 16x9 Image

    RFE/RL's Belarus Service

    RFE/RL's Belarus Service is one of the leading providers of news and analysis to Belarusian audiences in their own language. It is a bulwark against pervasive Russian propaganda and defies the government’s virtual monopoly on domestic broadcast media.

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG