South-Ossetian presidential candidate Alan Kochiev goes on hunger strike

The registered presidential candidate of South Ossetia Alan Kochiev, who is in custody, has gone on a hunger strike. This was reported by the human rights activist Inara Gabaraeva.

While explaining the reasons for the hunger strike announced by Alan Kochiev, currently a coach at the children's and youth weightlifting sports school, Ms Gabaraeva said, "He went on hunger strike in protest against the actions of the incumbent President of South Ossetia, who violates the constitution by restricting Kochiev's freedom and electoral rights."

Let us remind you that on September 23 Kochiev was registered as a candidate for the presidency of the republic. Currently, he is in custody in connection with the criminal case initiated against him on charges of beating the MP Alexander Pliev.

Inara Gabaraeva said that rights defenders sent a letter to the Republic's CEC (Central Election Commission) asking them to petition before the Prosecutor's Office on changing Alan Kochiev's freedom restriction. By the law, a person who is under investigation may not be restricted in his or her rights to be elected to some leadership position. However, according to her story, the Office had ignored the appeal. Currently, the initiative group in support of Alan Kochiev puts forward the demand of his immediate release.