VITSEBSK, Belarus -- Jailed Belarusian opposition activist Syarhey Kavalenka, whose health has deteriorated due to a lengthy hunger strike, reportedly is being forcibly fed in a prison psychiatric clinic in the eastern city of Vitsebsk.
Prison officials told Kavalenka's relatives on April 2 that Kavalenka’s state of health is “close to grave” and a decision was made to feed him forcibly with a milk formula using a feeding tube.
Kavalenka, 37, was sentenced in February to 25 months in jail for a parole violation.
He was detained in December for allegedly violating the terms of his parole for a conviction on charges of "illegally displaying the banned Belarusian national flag."
He began his hunger strike shortly after his detention.
Officials force-fed him in January, but he resumed his hunger strike in February.
Prison officials told Kavalenka's relatives on April 2 that Kavalenka’s state of health is “close to grave” and a decision was made to feed him forcibly with a milk formula using a feeding tube.
Kavalenka, 37, was sentenced in February to 25 months in jail for a parole violation.
He was detained in December for allegedly violating the terms of his parole for a conviction on charges of "illegally displaying the banned Belarusian national flag."
He began his hunger strike shortly after his detention.
Officials force-fed him in January, but he resumed his hunger strike in February.
