Rumors about Zeltser’s release not confirmed

• 26.11.2008, 14:59

The special department of Mahilyou colony No. 15 have informed that the US civizen Emanuel Zeltser is still in the medical unit of the colony.

“He is here. We haven’t received any documents about his early release. When we will receive them, we will release them,” a worker of the colony said in an interview to Radio Svaboda.

As said by Mark Zeltser who lives in New York, on November 26 information was received that his brother had been allegedly released from the colony basing on a decree of his acquittal. The penal jurisdiction department refused to comment on these reports.

As we have informed, Minsk city court has recognized Emanuel Zeltser guilty of on charges of "attempted industrial espionage" and the use of fake documents and sentenced to 3 years of imprisonment. Zeltser hasn’t admitted his guilt. E. Zeltser’s relatives say his arrest is connected with a case a dispute over the estate of his client, Georgian oligarch Badri Patarkatsishvili who died in London.

The US seeks for Mr Zeltser's release on humanitarian grounds, saying that his health has deteriorated.