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RUSSIA HAS ORDERED a prisoner to pay his own medical costs after he went on hunger strike over jail conditions, his lawyer said today, a move that could curb protests against poor treatment of convicts.
The prison service is forcing Andrei Krekov, 36, a lawyer from the northwestern Arkhangelsk region, to cover costs of some 50,000 roubles (€813) resulting from a 27-day hunger strike last year.
Prisoners in Russia have little recourse to draw attention to abuses and often resort to hunger strikes as a way of highlighting their plight.
High-profile detainees in Russian jails who have held hunger strikes include the Pussy Riot punks, former oil magnate Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Ukrainian pilot Nadiya Savchenko.
“We have huge doubts about the legality of this lawsuit,” said Alexei Fedyarov, a lawyer from Sitting Rus, an organisation that campaigns for prisoners’ rights, who has taken up Krekov’s case.
“The lawsuit and the decision on it will set a precedent,” he said, warning that hunger strikes “could simply die out.”
Krekov is serving a sentence of 2 years and 8 months in a penal colony after being jailed in 2015 for allegedly biting a policeman on the leg, a charge he says was fabricated after he reported a police beating.
Krekov’s partner Viktoria, who asked not to give her full name for fear of repercussions, told AFP he launched a hunger strike after being placed in an isolation cell as punishment for allegedly making an unsanctioned phone call.
At the end of his hunger strike his health deteriorated and he was hospitalised for nine days.
While Krekov is entitled to free state hospital treatment, he was given private treatment for reasons that are unclear, and the prison service is suing him over the medical costs of 28,917 roubles (€470.15), arguing he deliberately damaged his health.
In addition he is being ordered to pay 21,616 roubles (€351.44) for costs including convoy guards and even petrol.
A magistrates’ court has upheld the payment demand and Krekov has taken the case through numerous appeals, running up legal bills of 500,000 roubles (€8,129), his partner said.
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Well the Potus is always welcome in Ireland no matter who it is :) but I’m sure trump will be visiting in his second term in office as well
@Chonky Racoon: I wouldn’t bet on it.
@Chonky Racoon: Obvious trolls are obvious.
@Chonky Racoon: That is the most pathetic attempt at trolling I have ever witnessed on the Journal….. Take a bow son!
@Mel Fitzpatrick: it’s not an attempt at trolling. I firmly believe that trump will see a second term.. And of course I’ll welcome the president of the most powerful country on earth to our shores.. Many countries envy our relationship and kinship with the America
@Seán Ó Briain: With the stellar work AOC is doing as leader of the Trump reelection campaign, I fear he will.
@Chonky Racoon: back to your bridge you ghoul.
@Chonky Racoon: You’re a bit mad aren’t you!
@Mel Fitzpatrick: you take the trolling cup old son
Good. Welcome to POTUS. Respect the office as they did ours.
It’s embarrassing how low our Taoiseach grovels. Full of praise for the pussie grabber and his mighty war machine
The embodiment of hate. Let’s say no.
If President trump come to Ireland on June will cost Irish taxpayers up to €20M crazy protection trump visit
#NotWelcome
@Orla Smith: neither are you but look there you are
@samstheman: Born in Ireland! Troll.
@Orla Smith: that’s ok dude but I’m talking about the journal. Spoofer!
Xenophobic, Racist, Conman, Porn Star Shaggers not welcome thanks.
@Billy Nomates: he is the President of the United States. We can’t be so flippant to such an Office.
Please….. No… Anyone but that monstrosity…
@Mel Fitzpatrick: If we can welcome a con artist and war criminal like Obama, the least we can do is welcome Trump!
@Jack Simpson: she only wants presidents who give off the impression of a Irish loving, Guinness drinking good guy.
I feel sorry for Trump
Ah yes our great special relationship. Its a bit like the special relationship Tony has with Arty in the Sopranos.
@Louis Jacob: special relationship comments being wheeled out again, there is no special relationship
Should the headline not read “Taoiseach fears Trump could visit Ireland as early as June”?
Great more red carpets and harp playing
He wants to come and play golf and to promote Doonbeg golf course of course (no pun intended) . We’ll probably even get to fund a Trunp statue in the town too out of it.
Whether we like it or not? :-)
So the Leo the lamb and Donald the lion are suddenly friends now.
Election in May so…
Please get him out of here. Take him for a week or two. 200,000,000 American’s will be grateful for the break!
Dropping off some of the Mexico loot he just signed for, to also build his Doonbeg wall.
Trump looks embarrassed to be beside leo
Not welcome.
Like him or loathe him, he is the elected president of America and the office should be respected. It would do us no good to have such a man as an enemy. Suck it up.
What’s the vetting this will be his second cancelled visit to Ireland? Either way, he’s more than welcome.
No body wants him her but you don’t make the Irish People foot the bill
35 comments , The ratings here are shite ! Boom
Why ?
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