Syarhei Kavalenka continues hunger strike in Vitebsk detention facility

A Vitebsk-based activist of the Conservative Christian Party BPF, Syarhei Kavalenka, continues hunger strike since May 8.

As BelaPAN learned from opposition activist's wife Alena Kavalenka, Syarhei had a meeting with his lawyer on May 16. “He is weak. He began to lose weight again. He weights about 60 kg now. He notices signs of diabetes, which may have been caused by glucose injections during his fast,” Alena Kavalenka said.

She received a psychological evaluation of Syarhei made in Navinki psychiatric hospital. The document says no disorders were found.

Syarhei Kavalenka's appeal against the judgement will be heard by the Vitebsk region court on May 18. “I will try to attend the trial, but I suspect the courtroom will be full of  third persons and the trial will be held in fact behind closed doors. I do not have hopes for a fair court decision,” opposition activist's wife said.

Syarhei Kavalenka has been behind bars since December 19, 2011. On February 24, 2012, the Pershamaiski district court of Vitebsk found him guilty of violation of probation (article 415 of the Criminal Code). In May 2010, the activist was given three-year suspended sentence for hanging out a national white-red-white flag on a Christmas Tree in Vitebsk. After the arrest, Kavalenka went on hunger strike, which lasted two months with a short break. The activist lost over 40 kg in weights. The oppositionist resumed hunger strike on May 8.