Representative of US Department of State left Minsk. Zeltser is still in prison

A representative of the US Department of State left Belarus after his visit to Minsk.

“The representative of the Department of State left Belarus. He gave the requested information on what services embassies and consulates can render to American citizens,” Interfax has learnt from the press service of the US embassy in Minsk.

As it has been reported earlier, the representative of the US Department of State arrived in Minsk on January 22 to discuss questions on imprisoned American lawyer Emanuel Zeltser with the Belarusian authorities.

As the BelaPAN has been told by M. Zeltser, on January 22 talks with the Presidential Administration are planned. As said by him, the US Department of State does not have clear vision about possible conditions of the talks. The Belarusian authorities have initially noted that E. Zeltser would be released on mutually beneficial terms.

The brother of the prisoner has been assured by the US Department of State that “bargaining on Zeltser’s release is outlawed by the YS Constitution: the US do not hold negotiations connected with health and life of a US citizen”.

“It’s good news. I cannot imagine a US official invited by the Belarusian side to return to the US without my brother,” M. Zeltser said ahead of a visit of the US representative to Minsk.

Emanuel Zeltser was arrested on March 12, 2008 together with his secretary, Russian citizen, 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.