12:41, 19 September 2020

Tbilisi hunger-strikers suspend their protest

Hunger-strikers in Tbilisi. Photo by Inna Kukudzhanova for the Caucasian Knot

The prisoners' female relatives, who demanded a large-scale amnesty, have suspended their hunger strike that had lasted for ten days.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on September 8, prisoners' family members went on a hunger strike demanding a large-scale amnesty to be announced before the parliamentary elections scheduled for October 31. By September 14, the number of hunger-strikers went up to 18 women.

The prisoners' relatives have drafted a bill on a large-scale amnesty, but the parliament ignored the proposal; and this caused the protest.

Now, on the 10th day of their hunger strike, the 18 women announced that they were taking one day off to "gain strength."

"We've eaten a little to gain strength. Today, we are taking a break from the action; but if our demands are not met, we'll resume our hunger strike," one of the protesters told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent. According to her story, the decision on protesters' further plans will be made on September 19 after a march along Rustaveli Avenue demanding a mass amnesty.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on September 19, 2020 at 03:23 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

Author: Inna Kukudzhanova

Source: CK correspondent