Belarus: Access to Imprisoned U.S. Citizen

14 April 2008

Statement by State Department Deputy Spokesman Tom Casey 

Washington, DC

The United States is concerned about the welfare of American citizen Emanuel Zeltser, imprisoned in Belarus.  Mr. Zeltser suffers from serious pre-existing health conditions and requires daily medications.  Despite repeated requests for consular access to Mr. Zeltser, we have been permitted only one visit on March 27.   

The Government of Belarus failed to provide timely notification of his arrest, information about his medical condition, and did not inform the U.S. Embassy of his recent transfer to a state psychiatric hospital.

Consular access in Belarus has long been a concern for the United States.  We urge the Government of Belarus to comply with their international legal obligations and provide immediate and regular consular access to Emanuel Zeltser.