Supporters of anti-corruption laws go on hunger strike in Sukhumi

Today, Ivan Achba, Asida Kortua, and Djansukh Adleiba, members of an anti-corruption laws initiative group, have declared an indefinite hunger strike. They demand an urgent ratification of the original version of Article 20 "Illicit Enrichment" of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC). The activists insist that the amendments should enter into force before the presidential election.

"We are tired of the authorities' inaction. We want to live in a civilized rule of law. We are tired of an endless theory. We need practice, not promises. Members of the parliament are not active, although the future of the country depends on them. We have chosen the most peaceful way to voice our demands," Djansukh Adleiba has told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent today.

According to Asida Kortua, the activists plan to stay on Freedom Square around the clock until the parliament ratifies the article on illegal enrichment. "We do not violate the law. However, we do not believe our MPs anymore: last time, they persuaded us to leave, but the problem did not move forward," Asida Kortua told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on March 2, 2020 at 03:36 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.