Inmates of Ingush SIZO hold hunger strike to demand better medical care

At SIZO (pre-trial prison) No. 1 of Ingushetia, starting from November 25, detainees are on a hunger strike, complaining about the lack of medical care and insults – this was established by the Public Oversight Commission (POC) after visiting the SIZO, institution, said Magomed Mutsolgov, a member of the POC and a human rights activist.

He did not specify the exact number of hunger-strikers; however, according to his story, out of 22 visited cells, 19 contained participants of the action.

According to the protesters, one of the key reasons why they have refused to take food was the beating of one of the detainees. However, the detainee himself said that he was not beaten up; and the member of the POC found no damage on his body.

The members of the POC concluded that the SIZO had two systemic problems: the administration's refusal to take perishable foodstuffs from inmates' relatives, despite the presence of refrigerators and buffets and shops; and inadequate medical care.

Besides, the inmates of four cells complained of abuse and the treatment of them by the SIZO staff that is degrading their human dignity.

Mutsolgov said that in the coming days the POC will hold a repeated check.

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