Detainees of the Remand Prison have begun a hunger strike, UIKS announced that 16 of them are on hunger strike.

Detainees of the Remand Prison began a hunger strike yesterday, and according to information from "Vijesti", they are dissatisfied with health care, but also with the practice of some of them, after years of detention and immediately before their expected release, being arrested again for other crimes.

The Administration for the Execution of Criminal Sanctions (UIKS) officially announced yesterday that 16 detainees, housed in the Remand Prison, have begun a hunger strike.

"The competent court has been notified of the aforementioned event, in accordance with legal obligations," the statement reads.

The institution stated that, when it comes to dealing with hunger strikes by detainees, they will take measures within their jurisdiction.

"...Which includes keeping proper records of each person participating in the strike, taking measures to ensure order and security in the institution, and, if necessary, health monitoring of detainees on strike through regular medical examinations and the involvement of medical staff, all of the above while respecting the right to voluntary protest (strike) of detainees. The Administration will continue to continuously monitor the development of the situation and, in accordance with all relevant circumstances, promptly inform the public of all important information," UIKS announced.

The interlocutor of "Vijesti" said that the practice so far, when it comes to strikes behind the walls of Supšija, has shown that the number of those refusing food can increase, because, as he claims, detainees "who have better living conditions" are usually the last to join.

He also states that the detainees were informed that one of the reasons for the strike is dissatisfaction with the fact that some of them, after three years and six months spent in detention and at the moment when they expect to be released, are being deprived of their liberty again due to criminal offenses discovered during their stay in the Remand Prison.

"The second reason for the hunger strike is dissatisfaction with health care at UIKS, especially after the deaths of two detainees in the last 15 days. Allegedly, in the last month only one doctor has been providing health services, after the others requested a transfer due to dissatisfaction," said a source at "Vijesti".

He added that operational information indicates that the three detainees are stirring up the atmosphere and persuading others to join the strike. According to the source, two of them are known to be leaders of two criminal clans, while the third is considered a member of one of these clans.

"According to our information, they asked two lawyers to agree with other colleagues to cancel the power of attorney, so that those who are running out of time until the first-instance verdict can be released from detention, on the condition that they are not deprived of their liberty again at the reception desk," said the newspaper's interlocutor.