US lawyer Zeltser denied treatment in KGB jail

American lawyer Emanuel Zeltser has no necessary medical care in the KGB jail.

Though independent doctor said medicines, Zeltser was seized during his arrest in March, were vital for him, and the court decided they are not narcotics, Zeltser wasn’t given his medicines.

Zmitser Harachka, lawyer of the convicted, told in an interview to “Belorusskie Novosti” Zeltser’s doctors hadn’t learnt the results of examination by an independent American doctor. It is possible, because his report is attached to the state secrecy case. Besides, the investigation agencies are not obliged to reveal information about examination results to attending doctors. The lawyer describes Zeltser’s state as “hard but stable”.

In the meantime, the American lawyer, whose candidature was approved by both Belarusian and American authorities, said in June after the examination of Zeltser, the latter may not survive his detention if his treatment is not resumed and all his pain killers that he was taking prior to his arrest as prescribed by his physician, are reinstated and available to the patient.

Brother of the convicted Mark Zeltser said the relatives were afraid for Emanuel’s health and for he wouldn’t see his mother. Physician of 92-year-old Bertha Zeltser says she is dying.

She addressed president Alyaksandr Lukashenka in June and appealed to “save the life of her son” and not to deny vital for him medicines.

Zeltser and his secretary Vladlena Funk were detained on March 12. The trial was held behind the closed doors lasted from July 30 to August 11. Dzmitry Klimovich was a judge. Zeltser was sentenced to three years in prison on charges of attempted industrial espionage and the use of fake documents. Funk, was sentenced to one year in prison on the same charges. The both say they are not guilty.

The US was also charged with smuggling drugs, but the court found that medicines taken by Zeltser for the last 15 years and which were confiscated during the arrest, were not illegal drugs.

The authorities of the US seek his release on humanitarian grounds, as his health has deteriorated greatly in prison. The state of health of the US citizen Emanuel Zeltser was so bad that militia guards carry him into the third storey of the court in arms, as he was unable to go upstairs without help.

In august, the US embassy gave all necessary medications to the Belarusian authorities, but Zeltser didn’t receive them.

The Supreme Court is to consider a cassation appeal against judgement to Zeltser and Funk on September 26.