Jailed Kyrgyz Opposition Leader Hospitalized After Hunger Strike

Supporters of the detained Kyrgyz opposition lawmakers protest in front of a court in Bishkek on October 17.

BISHKEK -- Jailed Kyrgyz opposition leader Kamchybek Tashiev has been brought to a penitentiary hospital after he felt unwell while on hunger strike.

Tashiev, the leader of the Ata-Jurt (Homeland) party, and two legislators from his party were detained and charged with stirring public unrest for their role in violent protests by about 1,000 demonstrators in Bishkek on October 3.

Tashiev's lawyer told RFE/RL that his client started a hunger strike on October 17 to protest his two-month pretrial detention.

It is not clear if Tashiev is continuing his hunger strike in the hospital.

Kyrgyz State Committee for National Security says his current health state is stable.

Hundreds of supporters of the three jailed parliament members have rallied in Bishkek, Jalal-Abad, and Osh for days demanding their immediate release.