Czechs Free Activist Who Was on Hunger Strike for 28 Days
A former spokesman for the Charter 77 human rights group was released from jail Friday, and an emigre source said he was hospitalized after a 28-day hunger strike.
Stanislav Devaty was released because “the reasons for his detention have ceased to exist. The investigation on his activity continues,” the state-run CTK news agency quoted the prosecutor’s office in Brno, Moravia, as saying. It did not elaborate.
Devaty, 37, had been detained since March 16. Human rights activists said authorities intended to bring incitement charges against Devaty in connection with a petition he organized last fall calling for freedom for political prisoners in Czechoslovakia.
An emigre source in Vienna said Devaty was in a civilian hospital in his hometown of Gottwaldow following his release.
“He resumed eating Friday for the first time in 28 days, but his health is not very good,” said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
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