Political prisoner Balukh stopped his hunger strike

Ukrainian political prisoner Vladimir Balukh has decided to stop his hunger strike before convoying to the colony. However, after arrival he intends to again renew a protest against the illegal sentence.

Vladimir Balukh wrote it in his letter, which was read by the political prisoner’s public defender and both Simferopol and Crimean archbishop Klement on October 9, 2018 at a press conference in Kiev.

«Having used my last chance to find at least a breach in this invader’s punitive system where common sense or a hint of honor molders, I decided to stop a hunger strike,» wrote Vladimir Balukh.

He added that he would try to survive, but not at any cost.

«I will try to survive in this oxymoron, but I won’t do it at any cost. My People’s honor and dignity, upheld on Maidan by the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundreds blood-bought, cost more than my single life. That is why I will not allow myself to eat food from the occupier’s hands and put on its prison uniform,» the Ukrainian added.

The Crimean human rights group head Olga Skrypnik explained that Vladimir Balukh decided to stop the hunger strike before convoying him to a colony where he would serve his term. However, after arriving there, he is ready to renew his protest.

She added that this was a very risky decision, because the colonies got much more severe accommodations than the pretrial detention center.

Also, Vladimir Balukh realizing the possible consequences of such a long starvation appealed not to leave his body in the occupied territory in case of his death.

«Understanding the consequences of effective statement compliance by me hereby, I appeal and ask you to fulfill my last will: in case of my physical or mental death, do not leave my body in the occupied territory. I transfer a right to choose my grave site to my family – I would like it to be the countryside on the banks of the Dnieper near Kiev...,» the Ukrainian wrote.

The letter is dated October 8, 2018.

As to ATR TV channel, on October 3, the Crimean Supreme Court in Simferopol «softened» the sentence to Ukrainian political prisoner Vladimir Balukh. Thus, the court reduced Balukh’s imprisonment per one month – from 5 years to 4 years 11 months, leaving 10-thousand rubles charge.

As it is known, in July the Razdolnensky Court sentenced Vladimir Balukh to 5 years in a general regime colony and fined him 10 thousand rubles for allegedly «disorganizing the activities at the Razdolnensky temporary detention center».

Vladimir Balukh has been starving since March 19, 2018. He started an indefinite hunger strike, demanding to cancel his illegal sentence.