14:11, 14 August 2007

Inmate Rasul Kudaev goes on hunger strike in Kabardino-Balkaria

In Kabardino-Balkaria, Rasul Kudaev, prisoner of SIZO-1 (pre-trial detention facility), has announced a hunger strike. The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent has learnt about it from Magomet Abubakarov, detainee's advocate.

According to the advocate, the cause of the hunger strike was the fact of beating Rasul Kudaev and some other inmates on August 10 in the facility's yard. Employees of SIZO-1 in masks kicked them and beat with truncheons, all the time offending them verbally.

Allegedly, the reason of beating was the violation by Rasul Kudaev and others of the custody regulations - they refused to put their hands on the wall and would not allow the guards to search them.

On the fact of beating, Rasul Kudaev filed a complaint to the commander of the SIZO asking for examination and registration of his bodily blows. His complaint was rejected, after which he went on his hunger strike.

According to the advocate, Rasul Kudaev continues to feel sick, however, he still gets no medical care.

Author: Luiza Orazayeva, CK correspondent