Ten Convicts In Ukraine Jail Declare Hunger Strike

KIEV, Ukraine -- At least 10 convicts at a Ukrainian prison have declared a hunger strike in protest against allegedly brutal and humiliating treatment by the jail's administration, Ukrainian television said, citing a local human rights group.


One of the accusations was that prison staff had been beating them, Fifth Channel said, citing the Vinnytsya Human Rights Group.

Group chairman Dmytro Hroisman said complaints came in late in 2007 that inmates at the jail, which is located in Lityn, Vinnytsya region, had been kept in metal cages for more than 24 hours running.

"It is even said that the head of the prison has regularly been taking part in beatings personally, and there is written evidence to that effect by convicts, which must be verified," Hroisman said.

The group asked for the prison to be visited by the Ukrainian ombudsman and inspectors from the Penalty Execution Department and the prosecution service.

Convicts' parents planned to visit the jail the day the ombudsman and inspectors come.

Interfax has been unable to obtain any comments from the prison administration so far.

Source: Interfax