Jailed Belarusian Activist Faces New Charge

Mikalay Autukhovich in February

MINSK -- Jailed Belarusian activist Mikalay Autukhovich, who has been on hunger strike for 70 days, now faces an additional charge, RFE/RL's Belarus Service reports.

Autukhovich was arrested earlier this year and charged with arson against property owned by a police office.

He denies the charge, insists it is politically motivated, and has been holding a hunger strike in protest.

His lawyer, Paval Sapelka, told RFE/RL that several days ago his client was informed about a new criminal case opened against him on charges of having an illegal weapon.