Inmates stop hunger strike in Batumi prison

Sixteen inmates of Batumi Prison No. 3 decided to stop their hunger strike after they were visited by local officials and employees of the Ombudsperson's office.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on November 23 three inmates of the above prison went on a hunger strike. Later, 13 other prisoners joined them. They claimed that the prison administration applied physical and psychological violence to them.

"Immediately after the visit to the prison of Medea Vasadze, an MP of the Supreme Council of Adzharia, and a representative of the Ombudsperson Giorgi Charkviani, which ended after 7:00 p.m. on November 23 the hunger strike was stopped," the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was informed at the Batumi office of the Association of Young Lawyers.

Medea Vasadze and Giorgi Charkviani made different statements about the events in the prison.

Medea Vasadze told reporters after quitting the prison that everything claimed by the inmates has been confirmed. "I am discouraged by these facts. Indeed, acts of violence took place there," said Vasadze.

The hunger strike was organized by criminal lords, Giorgi Charkviani, representative of the Ombudsperson in Adzharia, told reporters. According to him, it’s still not possible to verify one of inmate’s claims that he was beaten by prison staff one and a half month ago.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.