Prisoner Andrei Bandarenka stops hunger strike

• 8.07.2010, 11:12

The information was given by lawyer Dzmitry Laeuski, who visited Andrei Bandarenka in a penal colony in Babruisk on July 6.

“He said he suspended the strike on July 7. This is caused by his state of health and the fact that our complaints had been taken for consideration. We are now waiting a decision on them. Andrei stressed he didn’t have complaints about the colony’s administration and his hunger strike was a protest against his sentence, which he finds unlawful. My client says he will resume the strike if he is not acquitted,” lawyer Laeuski told Radio Svaboda.

Andrei Bandarenka has been on hunger strike since June 15. He has lost 7 kilograms of weight. In February, the Pershamaiski district court sentenced businessman Bandarenka , a member of the United Civil Party, to 7 years of imprisonment and confiscation of property for obtaining money by false pretence. Andrei Bandarenka denies his guilty and claims it was revenge for his running in the parliamentary elections.