Bulgarian inmates launch hunger-strike

VARNA, Bulgaria, Jan. 17 (UPI) -- Bulgarian convicts in the Varna prison on the Black Sea went on a hunger strike to support inmates in another jail demanding better conditions.

Rosen Zhelyazkov, director of the Varna prison said 72 inmates refused food to protest poor living conditions, and demanded jobs and amnesty, Varna's Focus radio reported Wednesday.

Zhelyazkov could not offer more details about the prisoners' demand for jobs and amnesty and said parliamentarians would have to take care of it.

However, Focus said Zhelyazkov neglected to respond to what prison administrators could do to improve living conditions for inmates.