Georgian inmates self-mutilate in protest
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 10 February 2014 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Georgian inmates self-mutilate in protest, 10 February 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5331455d14.html [accessed 29 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
February 10, 2014
Up to 17 inmates in the Geguti prison in Georgia's western province of Imereti have been hospitalized after they cut themselves in protest.
Georgian Ministry for Correctional Institutions issued a statement on February 10 saying that the incident had taken place overnight.
Some 1,000 inmates in the penitentiary have been on hunger strike since February 7, protesting what they call abusive prison conditions.
The minister of correctional institutions, Sozar Subari, said last week that the hunger strike was initiated by criminal bosses serving their terms in the penitentiary near the regional capital, Kutaisi.
According to Subari, recent reforms have affected the special privileges often accorded criminal bosses in penitentiaries.
He said the inmates are trying to reverse the reforms by organizing such protests.
Based on reporting by apsny.ge and Interfax
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
