Two elderly Sons of Freedom Doukhobors who went on a hunger strike in a protest over possible military action against Iraq have decided to end their fast. Tina Jmaeff, 73, and Mary Braun, 77, have been in prison since last March as a result of charges related to setting fires.

Doukhobors end fast

Tuesday, February 24, 1998

BURNABY -- Two elderly Sons of Freedom Doukhobors who went on a hunger strike in a protest over possible military action against Iraq have decided to end their fast. Tina Jmaeff, 73, and Mary Braun, 77, have been in prison since last March as a result of charges related to setting fires. Both regard arson as a spiritually cleansing act and have lengthy records for the crime dating all the way back to the 1960s. Both also have gone on numerous hunger strikes. In 1987, they went on a 107- day fast to protest against an eight- year prison term, setting a Canadian record for fasting in prison. Ms. Jmaeff, serving a sentence of two years less a day, had gone without food for 25 days this time, said John Pastorek, acting district director of the Burnaby Correctional Centre for Women. Ms. Braun had fasted for 10 days. -- Staff