Obama's Administration voices accusations against Belarus’ authorities
- 5.02.2009, 11:00
The US State Department has stated that American citizen Emanuel Zeltser is abused in Belarusian prison.
The statement was disseminated by FOX News with a reference to State Department spokesperson Andrew Laine.
The representative of the new US Administration disclosed to FOX News that U.S. embassy officials in Minsk have been, as part of their regular consular access to Zeltser, formally "protesting [his] abuse in prison." Laine said U.S. diplomats have also sought to ensure "appropriate medical treatment for [Zeltser's] serious conditions." A State Department spokesman told FOX News the Obama administration has urged Belarusian authorities to release Emanuel Zeltser immediately on humanitarian grounds.
Trent Duffy, a former White House aide to former President Bush and now a principal at HDMK, a Washington PR firm retained by Zelter's supporters, welcomed Laine's statement as the U.S. government's "toughest condemnation yet" of the treatment accorded Zeltser.
"This is the first time the Obama administration has spoken on it," Duffy added.
On January 22, a State Department attorney met with Belarusian officials in Minsk to respond to questions they had about American contacts with Zeltser.
Mr Zeltser was arrested on March 12, 2008 together with his secretary Vladlena Funk. On August 11, Minsk city court sentenced him to 3 years of imprisonment for use of false documents and attempted commercial espionage. On October 31, the Supreme Court of Belarus upheld the verdict. All court trials were held behind the closed doors.
The US continues to insist on release of Emanuel Zeltser on humanitarian grounds in connection with the hard health conditions of the prisoner.
On April 25, 2008 the United States consul Caroline Savage visited the arrested in Minsk American lawyer Emanuel Zeltser. According to the consul, Zeltser said her he had been beaten on the second and third days of his detention. He lost a considerable amount of weight and was very weak, had difficulty walking and talking.