Kyrgystan prisoners end hunger strike

A prisoner in Kyrgystan with his mouth stitched shut.
Thousands of prisoners who went on hunger strike in the impoverished Central Asian republic - many with their mouths stitched shut - have ended their protest, according to a local ombudsman.
This inmate says the strike was called off because demands to improve living conditions, provide mattresses and better food and end prison lawlessness have now been met.
Ombudsman Tursunbai Akun says the prisoners were right to protest the harsh conditions.
He says the country's prisons are desperately under-funded and living conditions and general services must be improved - adding that his institution will now work together with authorities to improve the situation. .
Here In Bishkek detention centre, where a raid by special forces earlier this month triggered the nationwide strike, convicts are searched.
Prison officials say they are cracking down on smuggling and illegal dealing.
This convict however says he hasn't eaten for days and repeated requests to be hospitalized have been turned down.
More than 75,000 inmates are held in Kyrgyz prisons.
Sunita Rappai, Reuters