400 inmates in disobedience action in Sverdlovsk penitentiary

Some 400 inmates have joined the disobedience action at maximum security penitentiary # 46 /IK-46/ in the town of Nevyansk, Sverdlovsk region. There are 1,500 inmates in the penitentiary, spokesman for the regional department of the Federal Penitentiary Service "Two groups of inmates refused to have breakfast earlier in the day. However, one of the groups later agreed to take meals. Psychologists, rights activists and FSIN officials are talking to them now. Regional ombudsperson Tatyana Merzlyakova has arrived at the penitentiary. The situation is calm," the FSIN press service said. Law-enforcement personnel cordoned off the penitentiary, regional police spokesman Valery Gorelykh told Tass. To maintain order and avoid provocation, Nevyansk police units will be guarding the perimeter until the conflict is resolved, Gorelykh underlined. Earlier reports said a group of inmates had refused to go to the mess hall for breakfast. They had placed a video address on the website of the regional observer commission, claiming a violation of their rights. An unspecified number of the protesters barricaded themselves and hang out banners. Sverdlovsk region public observer commission member Vyacheslav Bashkov said the disobedience action had started because of an act of violence committed by prison personnel and prison "activists."