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Emanuel Zeltser may not survive imprisonment in Belarus, American doctor reiterates

A US medical professional has reiterated that Emanuel Zeltser, who is serving a time in Mahilyow, may not survive his imprisonment in Belarus.

Dr. Albert Benchabbat called for the transfer of the prisoner to the United States for an invasive cardiac treatment.

"Refusal to transfer Mr. Zeltser to a US hospital is equivalent to a death sentence," he said.

The doctor was present at the medical examination of the 54-year-old US lawyer that was conducted by three Belarusian doctors on January 6. He was allowed to attend the examination after repeated requests by the Minsk-based US embassy.

The three doctors certified that Mr. Zeltser had many diseases, such as ulcer disease, diabetes, spondylarthritis, and arterial hypertension, but concluded that his condition was "satisfactory" and allowed him to take treatment in custody.

Dr. Benchabbat examined the imprisoned lawyer earlier, in the summer of 2008.

"Clear symptoms of unstable angina and peripheral vascular disease render Mr. Zeltser's condition critical," Dr. Benchabbat said in his conclusion that he issued following the most recent examination.

"I can definitely conclude that the patient's health is in a critical state, his medical condition is deteriorating and having taking into consideration the current rudimentary and insufficient treatment for these serious illnesses, Emanuel Zeltser may not survive his detention unless he is immediately transferred to a US hospital," the doctor said.

Mr. Zeltser is scheduled to undergo a comprehensive check by the end of this month.

On August 11, Mr. Zeltser was sentenced to three years in prison on charges of "attempted industrial espionage" and the use of fake documents. His secretary, Russian national Vladlena Funk, was sentenced to one year in prison on the same charges. The Minsk City Court held the trial behind closed doors and no details of the case were disclosed to the public.

The pair were arrested upon their arrival in Minsk in March and put into the KGB detention center.

Washington has called on the Belarusian authorities to release the American citizen on "humanitarian grounds".