Philosopher Uladzimir Mackievič continues his hunger strike and feels rather good, his lawyer says

February 8, BPN. The 65-year-old philosopher Uladzimir Mackievič, who has been on hunger strike since February 4, is “feeling rather good in general” and remains “in a balanced state of mind,” Dumaj Belarus Telegram channel reported, quoting the lawyer who visited the political prisoner in the detention center on February 7.

The lawyer noted that Mackievič “prepared himself both mentally and physically” for the hunger strike. The political prisoner said that the administration of the detention facility treated his decision “in a proper manner and within the standard norms and procedures.” The fact of the hunger strike was documented and the political prisoner was visited by the doctor on duty and a psychologist.

Mackievič also said that the hunger strike would continue until “specific actions” such as a decision to change the measure of restraint follow instead of “empty words and promises.”

Another term of Uladzimir Mackievič’s detention expired on February 4 and he was not released. Since his demands were not met – the preventive measure was not changed to release on his own recognizance, the investigation was not completed and the case was not sent to court with a date set for a hearing – the philosopher began a hunger strike.

Mackievič plans to drink water for the first ten days. If his demands are not met during this time, he intends to start a dry hunger strike.

“A hunger strike is an extreme measure,” his colleagues’ post said on his Facebook page. “Uladzimir has a hunger-strike experience when his demands were met: the case with the defense of the New Life Church building [in 2006]. Back then his hunger strike lasted for 23 days. But he was not in prison. A hunger strike is a way of pressure. The prisoner’s only argument may be his body and his life. We know that today there is virtually no argument for the regime, it is not afraid of conviction, nor does it seek to appear civilized. Still, the wider the outcry and pressure, the greater the chances for Uladzimir’s victory.”

Mackievič was detained on August 4, 2021. He is held in pre-trial detention center No. 1 on Valadarskaha Street in Minsk. He is charged under Article 342 of the Criminal Code (organization and preparation of actions that grossly violate public order).

The philosopher does not admit guilt and believes that his articles, statements, ideas and thoughts served as the basis for his detention and charges.

Uladzimir Mackievič is a public and political figure, TV presenter, the founder and the head of the Humanitarian Technologies Agency, the first head of the EuroBelarus international consortium’s Council, the founder of the Flying University. He is a core member of the Coordinating Council for the settlement of the political crisis in Belarus.