Ecologist Evgeny Vitishko goes on hunger strike

Evgeny Vitishko, an activist of the "Ecological Watch for Northern Caucasus" (EcoWatch), who is under arrest, has gone on hunger strike, as another activist of the "EcoWatch" told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Let us remind you that Evgeny Vitishko and Suren Gazaryan, activists of the "EcoWatch", were sentenced, in June 2012 to three years of conditional imprisonment each on charges of vandalism: they made inscriptions on the fence of one of summer cottages, which ecologists believe to be the summer cottage (dacha) of the Kuban Governor Alexander Tkachov. In December 2013, the verdict against Vitishko was changed from conditional to real imprisonment; the appeal against it was dismissed on February 12, 2014.

Evgeny Vitishko is on the hunger strike for the fourth day at the special detention centre of the Tuapse OVD (Interior Division). He announced his action on February 12 in protest against the decision of the court to change his punishment on the criminal case, the source told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Let us remind you that that Vitishko criticized the organization of the Games in Sochi, which, according to the Human Rights Watch, could result in criminal prosecution of the ecologist. The Amnesty International has recognized Evgeny Vitishko as a "prisoner of conscience" and insists on his immediate release.