Health condition of arrested American lawyer is catastrophic
Zmitser Harachka, the lawyer of US citizen Emanuel Zeltser, has described as unsatisfactory the conditions where the American lawyer is being kept in custody. "Two men share little space and stuffed air in the cell, but Zeltser is a very sick person who needs permanent medical aid", Harachka said.
Emanuel Zeltser and his secretary Vladlena Funk were detained on March 12, 2008 on arrival in the Minsk International Airport. Zeltser was accused of using the forged documents. Officials do not comment on the details of the arrest, because the case is classified as a state secret.
A criminal case against Zeltser was opened on May 27 under Article 328 (illegal transportation and storing of narcotic substances) and under Article 228 (smuggling of narcotic substances) in the Penal Code of Belarus. Under the Belarusian laws, Zeltser was supposed to mention his medicines in the customs declaration. In the view of the suspect's lawyer, this case should not have the status of a state secret.
Emanual Zeltser is the lawyer of US citizen Joseph Cay who is a remote relative of late Georgian businessman Badri Patarkatsishvil. After the latter's death on February 13, Joseph Cay presented the documents whic said that he was picked to carry out Parakatsishvili's last will. The documents were prepared by Zeltser. But when Patarkatsishvili's relatives denounced the papers as forgery, Zeltser was arrested in Minsk. On May 13, a court in Tbilisi recognized Cay as the late's trustee, thus confirming that Zeltser's documents were fine.
Emanuel Zeltser and his secretary Vladlena Funk were detained on March 12, 2008 on arrival in the Minsk International Airport. Zeltser was accused of using the forged documents. Officials do not comment on the details of the arrest, because the case is classified as a state secret.
A criminal case against Zeltser was opened on May 27 under Article 328 (illegal transportation and storing of narcotic substances) and under Article 228 (smuggling of narcotic substances) in the Penal Code of Belarus. Under the Belarusian laws, Zeltser was supposed to mention his medicines in the customs declaration. In the view of the suspect's lawyer, this case should not have the status of a state secret.
Emanual Zeltser is the lawyer of US citizen Joseph Cay who is a remote relative of late Georgian businessman Badri Patarkatsishvil. After the latter's death on February 13, Joseph Cay presented the documents whic said that he was picked to carry out Parakatsishvili's last will. The documents were prepared by Zeltser. But when Patarkatsishvili's relatives denounced the papers as forgery, Zeltser was arrested in Minsk. On May 13, a court in Tbilisi recognized Cay as the late's trustee, thus confirming that Zeltser's documents were fine.
