US insists on release of Zeltser

• 31.10.2008, 15:00

The United States continues to insist on immediate release of American citizen Emanuel Zeltser on humanitarian grounds as his heath deteriorated.

US Chargé d'Affaires a.i. in Belarus Jonathan Moore said it commenting of a decision of the Supreme Court to BelaPAN.

On October 31, the Supreme Court heard a cassation appeal against the judgement of the Minsk city court. On August 11, Zeltser was sentenced to three years in prison on charges of attempted industrial espionage and the use of fake documents. He denies any guilt.

J. Moore said the US didn’t see grounds for trials behind the closed doors and continued to urge to immediate release of Zeltser.

US lawyer Emanueal Zeltser and his secretary Vladlena Funk (Bruskova) were detained at Minsk National Airport on March 12. On August 11, E. Zeltser was sentenced to three years in prison for attempted industrial espionage and the use of fake documents. V. Funk got one year in prison. They both denied their guilt.