Ingush activist Vyshegurov goes on hunger strike in SIZO

Mustafa Vyshegurov, a participant of a March rally in Magas, has stopped accepting food since today in protest against the conditions of detention at the Pyatigorsk SIZO (pre-trial prison) and the demand to shave his beard. The court extended his arrest until March 11.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on September 12, the Nalchik City Court extended the Mustafa Vyshegurov's term of detention in custody until December 25.

Mustafa Vyshegurov has told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that today, he has declared a hunger strike in protest against the demand of warders from the Pyatigorsk SIZO to shave his beard. "I'm a religious person, and I don't shave my beard in accordance with my principles. They didn't show me a document where such a requirement would be contained," Mustafa Vyshegurov said.

The detainee also complained about the conditions at the SIZO in general. "At the SIZO, warders didn't give us linen for a day. They didn't give us a broom and a bucket for cleaning. The batteries are not warm, and it's very cold. They gave us one blanket for two persons. Today, I have declared a hunger strike. I filed complaints to the Prosecutor's Office, [Ombudsman], and the chief of the SIZO. I'll continue my hunger strike until we are no longer pressed," said the detainee.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on December 19, 2019 at 02:56 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.