British Businessman Went On Hunger Strike In Belarusian Prison Colony

Alan Smith's demands are still unknown.

British citizen Alan Smith, who is in the Belarusian prison colony, went on a hunger strike on June 20. According to novychas.by, his wife reported about it.

The hunger strike started on June 20, Alan's demands are unknown. "This is shocking and very stressful news. Only God knows what is happening in this prison," – Alan's wife Magdalena says.

Magdalena told reporters what she knew at the moment.

– How did you find out about the hunger strike?

– Families of other prisoners told me about this – we exchange information.

– Is Alan now in the barrack or in a penalty cell?

– He is in the barracks, but his best friend from this colony is in the penalty cell. Maybe for talking with Alan.

– What could be the reason for Alan to go on a hunger strike?

– Some time ago they didn't let him receive a package from me, which was allowed by law. But I think that there's a more serious reason. He was already punished, when deprived dietary food, forbidden going to the gym. Also he is not allowed to work and call, receive correspondence. I got his last letter in February. Even his letters to Lukashenka and the Supreme Court stay in the colony. Alan is very smart, and I think that when he started a hunger strike, there were serious reasons to do that.

Alan Smith was accused of "organizing illegal migration" through the Belarusian border and in 2016, was sentenced to 2 years in prison. He did not admit his guilt.

Alan Smith, 45, originally hails from Kurdistan, lived in London. Together with his wife they had a company in Poland, which was engaged in establishing business ties between Kurdish and European businessmen and organizing treatment of patients from the Middle East in Europe. Having arrived in Belarus, Smith helped a Kurdistan citizen, an invalid who legally, having a visa, arrived in Belarus, to get permission to stay in Belarus. Later it was found out that this woman, together with her family – 6 people in total – were going to migrate further to the European Union. Alan, who was not related to their crossing the border, was charged with "organizing illegal migration." He did not admit his guilt in court and boldly declared about tortures behind bars.

After serving more than half the time, Alan Smith was denied an early release on parole, as he was given disciplinary penalties (for example, "for violating dress code") and did not admit his guilt. Human rights activists and Alan's wife report numerous violations of his rights in the colony: humiliation on the part of the administration, deprivation of medical care, restriction of correspondence.