Kyrgyz authorities say they have decided to forcibly feed prison inmates who have been on hunger strike over conditions at a handful of detention facilities all over the country.
RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports that State Penitentiary Service officials announced that the "forced feeding" means a transfusion of glucose solution via an intravenous system to protesting inmates whose health is in immediate danger.
Thousands of inmates in Kyrgyzstan’s 13 jails and detention centers have been on a hunger strike since January 17, a day after security forces violently quelled a prisoner riot in a Bishkek detention center, allegedly killing one and wounding dozens.
It is still unclear what sparked the riot and clashes in the detention center.
Kyrgyz Ombudsman Tursunbek Akun has said the inmates’ rights were violated and they were severely beaten.
with additional agency reporting