Freedomite Doukhobors Mary Braun, 67, and Tina Zmaeff, 63, are still in stable condition as they continue their hunger strike in Matsqui prison and the Doukhobor community tries to determine what else it can do for them.

Braun and Zmaeff are serving eight-year jail terms for arson, a crime for which they have a long criminal record.

Black & White Photo; Mary Braun Tina Zmaeff

Freedomite Doukhobors Mary Braun, 67, and Tina Zmaeff, 63, are still in stable condition as they continue their hunger strike in Matsqui prison and the Doukhobor community tries to determine what else it can do for them.

The women, convicted arsonists, show little change over last week, Corrections Services of Canada spokesman Dianne Brown said Monday.

It is now 85 days since the women began their hunger strike. Although they both accepted intravenously administered nutrients in a 24-hour period after their 71st day without food, they contend they did not break their fast because they took nothing by mouth.

They are now bedridden, drink water with a little lemon, and need assistance to be moved to and from the wheelchairs, Brown said.

"A bunch of us were sitting here talking, and we just don't know what else we can do," said Peter Savinkoff, spokesman for Freedomites in Gilpin, near Grand Forks.

"People are really upset," he said. "They are not getting any better."

Braun and Zmaeff are serving eight-year jail terms for arson, a crime for which they have a long criminal record.

They were denied parole last month after the Doukhobor community of Krestova, near Nelson, made an emergency application for their release on compassionate grounds.

Fellow Doukhobors say the two have hung on so long because of faith and being accustomed to lengthy fasts.