09:34, 23 September 2020

Amid relatives' hunger strike, Tbilisi prisoners cut themselves

In Tbilisi, three inmates have wounded themselves after being denied cigarettes and tea, the Penitentiary Service has informed. The wife of one of them, who is on a hunger strike demanding a large-scale amnesty, doubted this version.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on September 8, prisoners' family members went on a hunger strike demanding amnesty before the parliamentary elections scheduled for October 31. On the tenth day of the action, the hunger-striking women suspended their action in order to "gain strength."

According to the Penitentiary Service, those prisoners, who have cut themselves, are serving their terms for domestic violence, thefts and robberies.

Koba Kobakhidze, an advocate of one of the prisoners, said that he distrusted this version, because on such minor occasions self-harm is usually not used by inmates. He suspects that psychological pressure was put on his client.

Maya Chechvadze, the wife of another prisoner, is sure that six prisoners are on a hunger strike demanding a mass amnesty; and the prison administration is hiding information about it.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on September 22, 2020 at 10:30 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

Author: Inna Kukudjanova

Source: CK correspondent