Xamax owner Chagaev goes on a hunger strike in Swiss prison

Bulat Chagaev, the Chechen owner of bankrupted Swiss club Xamax, is holding a hunger strike as he awaits trial at the local penitentiary.

In November Neuchatel and Geneva authorities both opened investigations into Chagaev’s activities as head of the Swiss league club.

The businessman from Chechnya, whose trading company has offices in Geneva, is suspected of providing fake American bank letters purporting to show he had $35 million.

Chagaev was arrested in Geneva last Thursday, hours after Xamax was formally declared bankrupt and dropped out of the Swiss Super League.

His lawyer, Jacques Barillon, who was quoted by Associated Press, said his client has refused food and is being denied cigarettes.