MINSK, Aug 11: A court in Belarus jailed a US lawyer for three years on Monday on charges of industrial espionage and carrying forged documents, a verdict certain to plunge relations between the two countries deeper into crisis.

The trial of New York-based lawyer Emmanuel Zeltser, a specialist in Russian law and organised crime, was held behind closed doors. The verdict was announced by the defendant’s lawyer, Dmitry Goryachko.

“My position is that he did not commit these crimes,” Goryachko said. “We will, of course, be making an appeal.”

Zeltser’s secretary, Vladlena Bruskova, was jailed for a year.

The US State Department has repeatedly expressed concern over his arrest and sought his release on grounds of ill health.

On Monday, the US embassy said it could not judge whether the trial met international standards as it had not been present. It repeated calls to be granted access to Zeltser.

“We have not been granted consular access to him for more than two months,” it said. “We ... call upon the Belarsussian authorities to provide him with all the medication which has been prescribed to him.”

Zeltser was detained in March on his arrival in Belarus, where he was to represent the interests of Josef Kay, a relative of the late Georgian businessman Badri Patarkatsishvili.

DIPLOMATIC ROW: His detention came at the height of a diplomatic row pitting Minsk against Washington. Belarus, accused by western countries of crushing fundamental human rights, asked the US ambassador to leave in March after saying Washington had toughened sanctions against its oil producer, Belneftekhim.

Authorities also twice demanded cuts in the size of the US embassy staff, now numbering only five diplomats.

President Alexander Lukashenko, accused of hounding opponents, muzzling the media and rigging his re-election, is barred from the United States and the 27-nation European Union.

Lukashenko, broadly popular in Belarus, dismisses US criticism as interference in his country’s affairs. But since quarrelling with Russia last year over energy prices, he has sought better relations with the West, particularly the EU, ahead of a September parliamentary election. Zeltser was initially charged with using forged documents.—Reuters

Opinion

Editorial

Parliament’s place
Updated 17 Sep, 2024

Parliament’s place

Efforts to restore parliament’s sanctity must rise above all political differences and legislative activities must be open to scrutiny and debate.
Afghan policy flux
Updated 18 Sep, 2024

Afghan policy flux

A fresh approach is needed, where Pakistan’s security is prioritised and decision taken to improve ties. Afghan Taliban also need to respond in kind.
HIV/AIDS outbreak
17 Sep, 2024

HIV/AIDS outbreak

MULTIPLE factors — the government’s inability to put its people first, a rickety health infrastructure, and...
Political drama
Updated 16 Sep, 2024

Political drama

Govt must revisit its plans to bring constitutional amendments and ensure any proposed changes to judiciary are subjected to thorough debate.
Complete impunity
16 Sep, 2024

Complete impunity

ZERO per cent. That is the conviction rate in crimes against women and children in Sindh, according to data shared...
Melting glaciers
16 Sep, 2024

Melting glaciers

ACCELERATED glacial melt in the Indus river basin, as highlighted recently by the National Disaster Management...