Syarhei Kavalenka’s wife banned meeting with her husband

• 31.01.2012, 12:38

Syarhei Kavalenka, an activist of the Conservative Christian Party BPD from Vitsebsk, has been on hunger strike on the 43d day.

Kavalenka’s wife is not allowed to see her husband, Radio Racyja reports.

Investigation of the criminal case against the activist was completed last Friday. A date of the trial still remains unknown. The trial will be conducted by judge of the Pershamaiski district court Alena Zhuk. Alena Kavalenka, the wife of the political prisoner, made another attempt to pass a parcel to her husband and get information about his health.

“I wanted to see the detention facility chief today, but he was out. I met with the deputy chief. Syarhei continues his hunger strike. They do not accept parcels for him. The deputy chief said Syarhei felt not bad. He is taken to the medical unit for feeding every day. They say he eats voluntary. I do not believe. If he ate on his own will, they would accept parcels for him. I suppose he is being forced-fed. I regard this treatment of Syarhei by staff of the detention facility as torture and mockery,” the wife of the political prisoner says.

The wife and mother of Syarhei Kavalenka have been denied meeting the political prisoners four times. They latest application for a meeting remains unanswered. Syarhei Kavalenka is accused of alleged “violation of probation”. He was given a suspended sentence in 2010 for hanging out a national white-red-white flag on a Christmas Tree in Vitsebsk. The activists may face up to three years in prison.